Who Is Atila Altaunbay? Inside The Private Life Of Grace Jones’ Former Husband

Grace Jones has always fascinated the world with her bold persona, and at one point in her life, she surprised everyone by marrying a young man named Atila Altaunbay. Their marriage drew attention not only because of their age gap, but also due to its secrecy, cultural complications, and eventual disappearance from the spotlight. But who really is Atila Altaunbay? What do we know about his life before and after Grace Jones?

This article explores the lesser-known but intriguing story of Atila Altaunbay, the man who once captured the heart of one of music’s most iconic women.

Quick Bio: Atila Altaunbay

Introduction: A Mystery Wrapped in Fame and Silence

For many years, Atila Altaunbay lived in the shadow of his famous wife, Grace Jones. Although their relationship was initially romantic and close-knit, it eventually faded from the public eye under strange circumstances. His story is one of cultural tension, sudden fame, and eventual disappearance. While Grace Jones remained a bold and public figure, Atila stepped away, and not much has been seen or heard from him since. But his unique path—from a Turkish upbringing to marrying a global icon—remains a subject of curiosity even today.

Atila Altaunbay’s Early Life and Background

Atila Altaunbay was born around 1971 or 1972 in Turkey. He came from a devout Muslim family and was raised in a traditional household with strong cultural expectations. As the youngest son in his family, Altaunbay was expected to follow customary rules—such as waiting until his older siblings married before considering marriage himself. These deeply rooted traditions would later play a significant role in the drama surrounding his union with Grace Jones.

At some point in his youth, Altaunbay moved to Belgium, where he was pursuing his education. It was during this time in Europe that he would cross paths with Grace Jones, and his life would change dramatically.

A Life Beyond the Spotlight: Singing, Studying, and Security

Before meeting Jones, Altaunbay was reportedly living a quiet, modest life in Belgium. He was a student and also a talented singer who occasionally performed at weddings. In her memoir I’ll Never Write My Memoirs, Grace Jones wrote that Altaunbay had a beautiful voice and a calm demeanor that drew her to him. Some reports also mention that he worked as a bodyguard, including possibly for Jones herself.

This blend of quiet artistic passion and protective presence seemed to make him a perfect complement to the flamboyant and bold Grace Jones, at least at first.

The Unusual Love Story: How They Met and Fell in Love

Jones and Altaunbay met in the 1990s while she was in Belgium. Their connection was strong and immediate, and despite the cultural and age differences, the two began dating. It wasn’t long before Grace Jones did something unexpected—she proposed to him. This reversal of tradition surprised many, but it reflected the confident and unconventional nature of the pop icon.

While their relationship was mostly kept private at the time, it eventually became public due to intense media interest, particularly after news of their marriage surfaced.

A Public Age Gap and a Private Relationship

At the time of their marriage in 1996, Atila Altaunbay was just 24 years old, while Grace Jones was 48. The age difference of more than two decades raised eyebrows, especially in tabloids. Despite this, both Altaunbay and Jones kept their personal lives away from the spotlight as much as possible. They rarely appeared together in interviews or events, and little was revealed about their day-to-day lives as a couple.

Still, the age gap and cultural contrasts became talking points in the media, often overshadowing the actual relationship they were trying to protect.

A Secret Wedding in Rio de Janeiro

Their marriage took place in a private home in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 1996. The ceremony was small, with only about 50 people in attendance. The officiant was a Presbyterian minister named Rubens Pires. According to reports, Grace wore a white lace bustier and fitted pants, giving the wedding her signature touch of glamor.

After the ceremony, the couple reportedly hit the gym together and spent their honeymoon in New York. Altaunbay became the only man Grace Jones has ever legally married, marking a major chapter in both their lives.

Cultural Rejection and Family Fallout

While Grace Jones was open-minded and loving, Altaunbay’s decision to marry her caused serious backlash within his own family. Coming from a traditional Muslim background, he was not allowed to marry before his older siblings. His relationship with Jones—an older, non-Muslim celebrity—was considered unacceptable.

By marrying her, Altaunbay went against his family’s expectations and religious beliefs. As a result, he lost contact with them and was reportedly unable to return home. In her memoir, Jones revealed how painful this family conflict was for Altaunbay, though he rarely spoke about it publicly.

The Marriage Was Later Re-Done Due to Controversy

After their wedding in Brazil, controversy emerged when some found out that the minister who officiated their ceremony was gay. Given the legal and religious sensitivities at the time, the validity of their marriage came into question.

To make things right in the eyes of certain observers—and perhaps their own families—they held a second ceremony. This time, it was officiated by Grace Jones’ father, a clergyman, at her family home in Syracuse. Despite the effort to formalize and legitimize their union, cracks in the relationship were already beginning to form.

Tensions and the Incident That Ended Everything

Although the marriage began with promise, Grace Jones later revealed that Altaunbay began showing signs of controlling behavior. While she described him as generally calm and not jealous, he had moments of being overly territorial.

The final straw came when, during an argument, Altaunbay allegedly grabbed a knife in the kitchen and threatened her. Though the situation didn’t escalate further, the emotional impact was deep. Jones was shaken and decided to end the relationship. The incident marked the point where their marriage truly fell apart.

A Separation Without Divorce

Interestingly, despite the serious incident and their eventual split, Jones and Altaunbay were never legally divorced. In her memoir, Jones explained that she had not seen or heard from Altaunbay after their breakup and was unable to find him to finalize the divorce. This has only added to the mystery surrounding him.

Years later, he remains legally her husband, even though the two have long lived separate lives. His vanishing act has kept the public guessing about what happened to him after leaving the spotlight.

Where Is Atila Altaunbay Now?

No one really knows what happened to Atila Altaunbay after his marriage to Grace Jones ended. He left no trace in the public sphere, gave no interviews, and did not resurface in the media. Some speculate that he returned to Europe or tried to reconnect with his family, but no confirmed details have emerged.

His total disappearance has turned him into a modern mystery—someone who was once connected to fame, yet chose anonymity instead. While Grace Jones continues to shine in the public eye, Atila Altaunbay has become a quiet chapter in her storied life.

Final Thoughts

Atila Altaunbay’s life is a story of contrast—between tradition and rebellion, fame and obscurity, love and loss. His relationship with Grace Jones was more than just a celebrity pairing. It was a union that clashed with culture, religion, and expectation. And while their marriage eventually crumbled under the weight of these differences, it remains one of the most fascinating yet hidden love stories in the entertainment world.

Today, Altaunbay remains a mystery. But through the few facts we have, it’s clear that his story deserves attention—not just because of who he married, but because of what he gave up and how he vanished from public life.

FAQs About Atila Altaunbay

Who Is Atila Altaunbay?
Atila Altaunbay is a Turkish-born former bodyguard and singer, best known as the former husband of music icon Grace Jones. They married in 1996 and later separated but never officially divorced.

What Is Atila Altaunbay’s Age?
He was reportedly 24 years old when he married Grace Jones in 1996, placing his birth year around 1971 or 1972.

Why Did Atila Altaunbay Marry Grace Jones?
They met in Belgium and developed a close relationship. Grace Jones proposed to him, and despite cultural and age differences, they got married.

Why Was His Family Against The Marriage?
Altaunbay’s Muslim family expected him to follow traditions, including waiting for older siblings to marry first. They also objected to his marriage to a non-Muslim woman, leading to a family fallout.

Did Atila Altaunbay Really Disappear?
Yes. After separating from Jones, he largely vanished from public view. Grace Jones stated she couldn’t locate him to finalize their divorce.

Did Atila Altaunbay Ever Remarry?
There is no public record or credible report indicating that Altaunbay remarried after his separation from Grace Jones.

Is Atila Altaunbay Still Alive Today?
There is no confirmation of his current status. No public statements or appearances have been made, and his whereabouts remain unknown.

People Also Read: Who Is Rhonda Worthey? Inside The Private Life Of Troy Aikman’s Ex-Wife