# Leyla Sayar

Leylâ Sayar (December 27, 1939 – July 22, 2016) was a Turkish actress, author, ballerina, beauty queen, and singer of Circassian and Macedonian Turkish descent. Sayar was considered to be one of the most beautiful women of the Cinema of Turkey.

## Early life and career

Sayar was born in 1939 to Circassian mother and Macedonian Turkish father from İstanbul. Before pursuing an acting career, she attended the American Academy for Girls. In 1957, she was crowned Miss Cinema Star. Leyla Sayar briefly held the first runner-up title for the beauty pageant Miss Turkey. She also finished first in the Miss Beach Beauty competition.
She took acting lessons at the Turkish State Theatre in Ankara. Between 1957 and 1976, she has acted in 170 films. Her aunt was married to a business magnate from the United States, and this contact led Leyla Sayar to get offers abroad. However, she steadfastly refused calls from Hollywood.
In the late 1950s, despite rumors that Leyla Sayar and Muzaffer Tema would be married were circulated, she dated Göksel Arsoy briefly after her breakup with Tema.
In 1976, Sayar renounced her career and devoted herself to religion and charity. From then on, she has not used any electronic appliances or devices.
Leyla Sayar released various books, including Altın Kalem, Erdemin Sırları, Meleğin Sözleri, Mühür, and Mürşit.

## Publications
### Books

* Altın Kalem
* Erdemin Sırları
* Meleğin Sözleri (2002)
* Mühür
* Mürşit

## Selected filmography
### Film

| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
| 1957 | Üç Garipler | | Leading role |
| 1958 | Dertli Irmak | | Leading role |
| 1958 | Duvaklı Göl | | Leading role |
| 1959 | Bizim Mahalle | | Leading role |
| 1959 | Kaderim Böyle İmiş | | Leading role |
| 1959 | Ninno | | Leading role |
| 1959 | Üç Kızın Hikâyesi | | Leading role |
| 1960 | Aslan Yavrusu | | Leading role |
| 1960 | Aşk Hırsızı | | Leading role |
| 1960 | Aşk Rüzgârı | | Leading role |
| 1960 | Ayşecik | | Leading role |
| 1960 | Can Mustafa | | Leading role |
| 1960 | Devlerin Öfkesi | | Leading role |
| 1960 | Ölüm Perdesi | | Leading role |
| 1960 | Yangın Var | Müjgan | Leading role |
| 1961 | Ayrı Dünya | | Leading role |
| 1961 | Boş Yuva | | Leading role |
| 1961 | Çapkınlar | | Leading role |
| 1961 | Gönülden Gönüle | | Leading role |
| 1961 | İki Yetime | | Leading role |
| 1961 | Kara Dut | | Leading role |
| 1961 | Şeytanın Kılıcı | Melike | Leading role |
| 1961 | Vahşi Kedi | | Leading role |
| 1961 | Yaban Gülü | | Leading role |
| 1961 | Yabancı Adam | | Leading role |
| 1962 | Aşk Güzeldir | | Leading role |
| 1962 | Aşka Kinim Var | | Leading role |
| 1962 | Bir Çiçek Üç Böcek | | Leading role |
| 1962 | Çifte Nikâh | | Leading role |
| 1962 | Dilberler Yuvası | | Leading role |
| 1962 | Geçti Buranın Pazarı | | Leading role |
| 1962 | Gümüş Gerdanlık | | Leading role |
| 1962 | İki Çalgıcının Seyahati | | Leading role |
| 1962 | Kadın ve Tabanca | | Leading role |
| 1962 | Leyla | Leyla | Leading role |
| 1962 | Öldüren Bahar | | Leading role |
| 1962 | Şoförün Karısı | | Leading role |
| 1962 | Ver Elini İstanbul | | Leading role |
| 1963 | Aşk Hırsızı | | Leading role |
| 1963 | Büyük Yemin | | Leading role |
| 1963 | Çapkın Hırsız | | Leading role |
| 1963 | Çapraz Delikanlı | | Leading role |
| 1963 | Dişi Örümcek | | Leading role |
| 1963 | Kavgasız Yaşayalım | | Leading role |
| 1963 | Kezban | | Leading role |
| 1963 | Leylâ ile Mecnun Gibi | | Leading role |
| 1963 | Makber | | Leading role |
| 1963 | Öldür Beni | | Leading role |
| 1963 | Sabah Olmasın | | Leading role |
| 1963 | Şafak Bekçileri | Zeynep | Leading role |
| 1963 | Yakılacak Kitap | Leyla | Leading role |
| 1963 | Zehir Hafiye | | Leading role |
| 1964 | Ankara'ya Üç Bilet | | Leading role |
| 1964 | Love and Grudge | Nevin | Leading role |
| 1964 | Baba Hasreti | | Leading role |
| 1964 | Beş Şeker Kız | | Leading role |
| 1964 | Suçlular Aramızda | Nükhet | Leading role |
| 1964 | Şehrazat | Şehrazat | Leading role |
| 1964 | Ve Allah Gençleri Yarattı | | Leading role |
| 1965 | Aman Dünya Ne Dar İmiş | | Leading role |
| 1965 | Ateş Gibi Kadın | | Leading role |
| 1965 | Şeytanın Kurbanları | | Leading role |
| 1970 | Ankara Express | Irma | Leading role |