Atila Altaunbay was a Turkish security worker and singer best known for his marriage to Jamaican singer, model, and actress Grace Jones. He reportedly met Jones while living in Belgium and working in security.
The couple married in 1996 and separated around 2004. Atila later lived a private life and was reportedly involved in charity work in Belgium. He died in October 2021.
Atila Altaunbay’s Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Atila Altaunbay |
| Birth year | Disputed; reported as 1976 or around 1971–1972 |
| Birthplace | Turkey |
| Nationality | Turkish |
| Religion | Raised in a Muslim family |
| Later home | Belgium |
| Known for | Marriage to Grace Jones |
| Profession | Security/bodyguard work and singing |
| Other reported work | Pizza delivery, modeling, acting, charity work |
| Wife | Grace Jones |
| Marriage | February 24, 1996 |
| Separation | Around 2004 |
| Children | No publicly confirmed biological children |
| Death | October 2021 |
| Burial | Reportedly in Belgium |
| Net worth | Not reliably known |
Atila Altaunbay’s Age and Birthday
Atila’s exact date of birth has not been publicly confirmed.
Some reports give his birth year as 1976 and say he was 45 when he died.
However, another account says he was 24 years old when he married Grace Jones in 1996. That would place his birth around 1971 or 1972.
Because these reports conflict, his exact birth year and age at death remain uncertain.
Where Was Atila Altaunbay Born?
Atila was reportedly born in Turkey.
His exact city or region of birth has not been publicly confirmed.
He later moved to Belgium, where he studied and worked.
Atila Altaunbay’s Nationality and Family Background
Atila was Turkish.
He reportedly came from a Muslim family that lived in Turkey while he was studying in Belgium.
The names of his parents have not been publicly confirmed.
Atila Altaunbay’s Siblings
Atila was reportedly the youngest son in his family.
Reports mention that he had an older brother.
The names and other details about his siblings are not publicly known.
Atila Altaunbay’s Education
Atila was a student in Belgium when he met Grace Jones.
However, the name of his school or university is not publicly known.
His degree, field of study, and graduation details have also not been confirmed.
Atila Altaunbay’s Security Training
Atila reportedly received training in CPR, AED use, and martial arts.
These skills would have been useful for his security work.
The organizations where he received this training have not been identified.
Atila Altaunbay’s Career as a Bodyguard
Atila worked in security and is widely reported to have worked as a bodyguard.
His security career eventually connected him with Grace Jones.
Reports say he worked as Jones’ bodyguard before their professional relationship became romantic.
Atila Altaunbay Worked as a Singer
Atila also had an interest in music.
Grace Jones reportedly described him as having a good singing voice.
He is said to have taken singing lessons and performed at weddings.
There is no reliable information showing that he released commercial albums or singles.
Did Atila Altaunbay Work as a Model?
Some reports describe Atila as a model.
However, no major modeling agencies, fashion campaigns, magazines, or brands have been clearly connected to his modeling work.
His modeling career therefore remains poorly documented.
Did Atila Altaunbay Work as an Actor?
Some secondary reports claim Atila performed in stage productions and appeared in a project called Mind Games.
Clear acting credits have not been established.
It is safer to treat acting as a reported part of his career rather than a confirmed major profession.
Atila Reportedly Worked as a Pizza Delivery Driver
Before becoming widely known, Atila reportedly worked different jobs in Belgium.
One reported job was delivering pizza.
There is no public information about the company he worked for or how long he held the job.
How Did Atila Altaunbay Meet Grace Jones?
Atila met Grace Jones in Belgium.
He was reportedly working in security and became her bodyguard.
AmoMama also reported that Atila was a student at the time.
The two developed a romantic relationship and reportedly dated for several months before deciding to marry.
Who Is Grace Jones?
Grace Beverly Jones is a Jamaican singer, model, songwriter, and actress.
She was born on May 19, 1948, in Spanish Town, Jamaica.
Grace later moved to Syracuse, New York, and developed a successful modeling and entertainment career.
Her albums include:
- Portfolio (1977)
- Fame (1978)
- Muse (1979)
Her acting credits include Conan the Destroyer (1984) and the James Bond film A View to a Kill (1985).
Grace Jones Proposed to Atila Altaunbay
Reports say Grace proposed marriage to Atila.
The proposal reportedly happened during a trip to Rio de Janeiro for Carnival.
Their large age difference later attracted considerable media attention.
The exact age gap is difficult to establish because Atila’s birth year is disputed.
Atila Altaunbay and Grace Jones’ Wedding
Atila and Grace reportedly married on February 24, 1996.
Their wedding took place at a private home in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The ceremony was reportedly officiated by Presbyterian minister Rubens Pires.
Around 50 people attended.
Grace reportedly wore a white lace bustier with tight white pants.
After the ceremony, reports say the couple went to a gym and later spent their honeymoon in New York.
Why Did They Have a Second Wedding?
Questions were later reportedly raised about the credentials of the person who officiated their first wedding.
Because of those concerns, Atila and Grace reportedly held another ceremony.
Grace’s father is said to have officiated the second wedding at the family home in Syracuse, New York.
Atila’s Family Reportedly Opposed His Marriage
According to accounts connected to Grace Jones’ memoir, Atila’s family did not approve of his decision to marry Grace.
Atila was reportedly the youngest son.
Family tradition reportedly required him to wait until his older brother had married before he could marry.
Atila went ahead with his marriage to Grace.
Atila Reportedly Lost Contact With His Family
Reports say Atila’s decision to marry against his family’s wishes damaged his relationship with them.
Grace reportedly said he lost contact with his family and could not return home after going against their family and religious expectations.
These details come mainly from Grace’s account and should not be treated as independently confirmed family statements.
Atila Altaunbay and Grace Jones’ Age Difference
Grace was considerably older than Atila.
Some reports describe their age difference as around 27 years.
However, Atila’s disputed birth year makes it difficult to give an exact age gap.
Their age difference received attention after their relationship became public.
Atila and Grace Tried to Keep Their Marriage Private
The couple reportedly tried to keep their marriage away from the media.
According to Grace’s account, information about the wedding eventually reached the press while they were in Brazil.
Their relationship then attracted wider public attention.
Atila Altaunbay’s Public Appearances With Grace Jones
Atila attended public events with Grace during their relationship.
On December 9, 2000, the couple was photographed at Cipriani in New York City with Prince Emanuele Filiberto di Savoia.
They were also photographed together at a Made in Italy awards ceremony at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York.
Problems in Atila and Grace Jones’ Marriage
Grace later spoke about problems in their marriage.
She said Atila could sometimes become territorial.
Grace also alleged that during one serious argument, Atila threatened or nearly attacked her with a weapon in a kitchen.
The incident is based on Grace Jones’ account. The supplied information does not show that criminal charges resulted from the allegation.
When Did Atila Altaunbay and Grace Jones Separate?
Atila and Grace reportedly separated around 2004.
Grace said the frightening incident in their relationship contributed to their breakup.
After the separation, Atila largely disappeared from public attention.
Did Atila Altaunbay and Grace Jones Divorce?
Reports conflict about their legal divorce.
Some sources say they divorced in 2004.
However, other accounts, including reporting based on Grace Jones’ memoir, say the couple separated but did not legally divorce because Grace could not locate Atila to complete the process.
It is therefore safer to say they separated around 2004 and that a completed legal divorce has not been clearly established.
Did Atila Altaunbay Have Children?
Atila does not have any publicly confirmed biological children.
He and Grace Jones did not have children together.
Who Is Paulo Goude?
Grace Jones has a son named Paulo Goude from her earlier relationship with French artist and designer Jean-Paul Goude.
Paulo was born on November 12, 1979, according to the supplied reports.
He has worked in music and modeling.
Paulo is not Atila Altaunbay’s biological son.
What Happened to Atila After His Separation From Grace?
Atila kept a low public profile after separating from Grace.
Later reports say he reconnected with his family and became involved in charitable work in Belgium.
There is limited public information about his life during the years between his separation and death.
Atila Altaunbay and Helping Hands Belgium
Atila was reportedly connected with Helping Hands Belgium, an organization involved in charitable work.
Reports say he helped people in need through the organization.
When announcing his death, Helping Hands Belgium reportedly referred to Atila as its president and praised his service to the organization.
Atila Altaunbay’s Death
Atila died in October 2021.
Helping Hands Belgium reportedly announced his death publicly.
His exact date of death has not been clearly established in the available information.
What Was Atila Altaunbay’s Cause of Death?
Atila Altaunbay’s cause of death has not been publicly confirmed in the supplied information.
Reports describe his death as sudden but do not provide a reliable medical cause.
How Old Was Atila Altaunbay When He Died?
Some reports say Atila was 45 years old when he died because they give his birth year as 1976.
However, other information places his birth around 1971 or 1972.
His exact age at death therefore remains uncertain.
Atila Altaunbay’s Funeral and Burial
Atila’s funeral was reportedly held at the Antwerpen Mehmet Akif Mosque in Belgium.
Reports say close family members and loved ones attended the service.
He was reportedly buried in Belgium.
The exact cemetery has not been publicly confirmed.
Atila Altaunbay’s Net Worth
Atila Altaunbay’s personal net worth is not reliably known.
Some secondary websites estimate it at around $800,000.
There are no reliable financial records supporting that figure, so it should not be treated as confirmed.
Atila Altaunbay’s Social Media
No verified personal Instagram, Facebook, X, or other social media account belonging to Atila has been clearly identified.
He lived privately for many years after his separation from Grace Jones.
Facts About Atila Altaunbay
- Atila Altaunbay was born in Turkey.
- He was Turkish.
- His exact birth year is disputed.
- He later lived and studied in Belgium.
- He came from a Muslim family.
- He was reportedly the youngest son in his family.
- He worked in security and as a bodyguard.
- He reportedly worked as Grace Jones’ bodyguard.
- Grace described him as a talented singer.
- He reportedly performed at weddings.
- He also reportedly worked as a pizza delivery driver.
- Modeling and acting work have been attributed to him, but these careers are not well documented.
- Grace Jones reportedly proposed to him.
- They married on February 24, 1996.
- Their first wedding was held in Rio de Janeiro.
- A second ceremony was reportedly held in Syracuse, New York.
- His family reportedly opposed his marriage to Grace.
- Atila and Grace appeared together at public events.
- They separated around 2004.
- A completed legal divorce has not been clearly established.
- Atila had no publicly confirmed biological children.
- Grace’s son Paulo Goude was not Atila’s biological son.
- Atila later reportedly became involved in charity work in Belgium.
- Helping Hands Belgium reportedly identified him as its president.
- Atila died in October 2021.
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