The Last Sultan of the Ottoman Empire: Mehmed VI and His Fateful Exile

Mehmed VI, the last Sultan of the Ottoman Empire, abdicated his throne on November 1, 1922, after the establishment of the Republic of Turkey by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. Following his abdication, he fled to Italy, later settling in San Remo, where he spent the remainder of his life in exile. This article delves into the life of Mehmed VI, his family, and the legacy he left behind.

Life in Exile

Life in exile significantly altered Mehmed VI's status and fortune. Unlike the opulent lifestyle of his time as Sultan, he led a quiet life, relying on the support of his family and the limited financial resources he managed to retain. His subsequent relocation throughout Italy—initially to Venice and finally to San Remo—marked the final chapter of his life. On May 16, 1926, he passed away in San Remo, where he was laid to rest in the cemetery of the Tekkiye Mosque in Damascus, Syria.

Family Life and Legacy

Mehmed VI had a family. He married Emine Nazikeda in 1901, and together they had three children:

Mehmed Selim (also known as "Prince Selim")

Ahmed Nureddin

?ehime Sultan (his daughter)

His first wife, Emine Nazikeda, passed away in 1900, and his second wife was Zehra A?d?n. The family stayed in exile following his abdication, with some members eventually settling in various countries across Europe and the Middle East.

Living Heirs and Legacy

While Mehmed VI did not reign as Sultan anymore, the legacy of the Ottoman royal family continued. His children, including his son Faruk ehzade mer and his daughter Dürrüehvar Princess, led lives away from the political limelight. Faruk lived in France and later in the United States, where he passed away in 1969. Dürrüehvar married an Indian prince and lived in India, where she passed away in 2006.

Despite the abolition of the Sultanate and the Caliphate in 1922 and 1924 respectively, descendants of the Ottoman dynasty still exist today. Notable among them are the daughters and grandsons of Mehmed VI, who have lived in various countries, including the United States and Europe. These descendants have remained involved in cultural and social activities related to the Ottoman Empire, maintaining a legacy rather than holding any official titles or political power in modern Turkey.

The Turkish government abolished the monarchy in 1922, and the modern Turkish state has no official ties to the Ottoman dynasty. As such, the descendants of the Ottoman sultans are considered private citizens with no official role or recognition in modern Turkey.