Hadise
A dynamic pop force who bridged Europe and Turkey, she broke cultural barriers with dance anthems and became a television fixture.
Born 1985 (age 41)·Belgian-born Turkish singer·Birthday: October 21·Millennials
Biography
Hadise Açıkgöz released the 2005 album 'Sweat,' a bilingual pop blast that earned awards in both Belgium and Turkey. Born to a Turkish family in Mol, Belgium, in 1985, she first appeared on a Belgian talent show. She built a durable career on catchy hooks and high-energy performances, including the self-titled 'Hadise.' She represented Turkey at the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest with 'Düm Tek Tek,' performing on a continental stage. She also served as a long-time judge on Turkey's version of 'The Voice.' Her work made borders irrelevant in modern pop.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Hadise was born in 1985, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Hadise Was Born
The biggest hits of 1985
#1 Movie
Back to the Future
Best Picture
Out of Africa
#1 TV Show
Dynasty
Hadise's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1985Born
Live Aid concerts raise money for Ethiopian famine
Gas: $1.12/galHome: $62,900Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Careless Whisper" — Wham!Best Picture: Out of Africa
1990Started school
Hubble Space Telescope launched; Germany reunifies
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.80/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Hold On" — Wilson PhillipsBest Picture: Dances with Wolves
1998Became a teenager
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2001Could drive
September 11 attacks transform the world
Gas: $1.46/galHome: $126,400Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Hanging by a Moment" — LifehouseBest Picture: A Beautiful Mind
2003Could vote
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2006Turned 21
Twitter launches; Pluto reclassified as dwarf planet
Gas: $2.59/galHome: $174,700Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Bad Day" — Daniel PowterBest Picture: The Departed
2015Turned 30
Paris climate agreement; same-sex marriage legalized in the US
Gas: $2.43/galHome: $171,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Uptown Funk" — Mark Ronson ft. Bruno MarsBest Picture: Spotlight
2025Turned 40
AI agents go mainstream
Gas: $3.10/galHome: $385,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"APT." — Rose & Bruno Mars
2026Age 41 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the TMF Award for Best New Artist in Belgium and the Golden Butterfly Award for Best Newcomer in Turkey for her debut album 'Sweat'.
- Represented Turkey at the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest, finishing in 4th place with the song 'Düm Tek Tek'.
- Served as a coach on multiple seasons of the Turkish version of 'The Voice' (O Ses Türkiye).
- Released multiple platinum-selling albums in Turkey, including 'Hadise' (2008) and 'Kahraman' (2009).
Did You Know?
Her family is of Lezgin and Kumyk ethnic origin from the Caucasus region.
She speaks four languages: Turkish, Dutch, English, and French.
Before fame, she studied social work and worked in a call center.
She was the first singer to perform a song entirely in English on the Turkish music chart show 'Liste Lideri'.
“I am a mix of two cultures, and I think that's my strength.”
