Atila Altaunbay became publicly known after marrying singer, model and actress Grace Jones. Before entering the spotlight, he reportedly lived a modest life in Belgium and worked in personal security. Their marriage attracted attention because of their 27-year age difference, but Altaunbay later stepped away from fame and lived privately until his reported death in 2021.
Profile Summary
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Atila Altaunbay |
| Birth Year | 1976 (commonly reported) |
| Birthplace | Turkey |
| Nationality | Turkish |
| Religion | Islam |
| Known For | Former husband and bodyguard of Grace Jones |
| Profession | Security professional and charity worker |
| Marital Status | Separated |
| Former Partner | Grace Jones |
| Children | No confirmed biological children |
| Height | Around 5 feet 7 inches (unverified) |
| Net Worth | Around $800,000 (unverified estimate) |
| Death | October 2021, reportedly aged 45 |
Who Was Atila Altaunbay?
Atila Altaunbay was a Turkish-born security professional who spent much of his life in Belgium. He became famous as Grace Jones’ bodyguard and later her husband. Although many online biographies discuss his life, Altaunbay rarely gave interviews. This means important details about his childhood, education and professional background remain limited or difficult to verify.
Most sources report that he was born in 1976 in Turkey. He was raised in a Muslim family and later moved to Belgium. Some reports describe him as a student, pizza delivery driver and bodyguard before meeting Jones. However, there are no detailed public records confirming every job connected with his early life.
Early Life and Family
Altaunbay reportedly came from a traditional Turkish Muslim household. He was believed to be the youngest son in his family. According to accounts linked to Grace Jones, his relatives were unhappy with the marriage because family customs expected the eldest children to marry before younger siblings.
The names of his parents and siblings have not been publicly confirmed. He also avoided discussing his family in the media. This privacy continued after his separation from Jones, making it difficult to establish a complete picture of his personal relationships and family life.
How He Met Grace Jones
Atila Altaunbay reportedly met Grace Jones while working in security in Belgium. Some accounts say he was working at a nightclub when she noticed him. Jones later offered him a better-paid position as her personal bodyguard, allowing him to travel and work closely with her.
Their professional relationship soon became romantic. Grace Jones was already an internationally recognised performer with successful music, modelling and film careers. Altaunbay had no comparable public profile, so dating Jones suddenly placed him in a world of celebrity events, international travel and media interest.
Marriage to Grace Jones
The couple married on February 24, 1996, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The private ceremony was reportedly conducted by a Presbyterian minister. Jones is widely reported to have proposed to Altaunbay during their time in Rio.
Their age difference became one of the most discussed parts of the marriage. Altaunbay was reportedly around 21, while Jones was in her late forties. Despite criticism and public curiosity, the couple appeared willing to ignore traditional expectations and build their relationship on their own terms.
Life as Grace Jones’ Husband
After the wedding, Altaunbay accompanied Jones at public events and became part of her personal life. The couple did not have children together. However, Jones already had a son, Paulo Goude, from her previous relationship with French designer and photographer Jean-Paul Goude.
Some reports say Altaunbay developed a stepfather-like relationship with Paulo. However, neither man has publicly shared detailed information about their bond. Altaunbay continued to stay mostly behind the scenes while Jones maintained her highly visible career in music, film and fashion.
Why Did They Separate?
The relationship reportedly became difficult because of jealousy, lifestyle differences and disagreements about Jones’ interactions with other men. Jones later described Altaunbay as increasingly possessive during their marriage.
She also claimed that one serious argument involved Altaunbay threatening her with a knife. This account comes primarily from Jones and has not been independently confirmed through widely available court or police records. It should therefore be understood as her personal account of the breakdown.
Many online reports state that the couple separated around 2004. After the relationship ended, Altaunbay left the celebrity world and returned to a private life in Belgium. Jones later said she struggled to locate him.
Did They Officially Divorce?
Grace Jones stated in a 2015 interview that she considered herself separated from Altaunbay but had been unable to complete a formal divorce because she could not find him.
For this reason, describing him as her “former husband” reflects the end of their relationship rather than a clearly documented legal divorce. Reports claiming that the divorce was officially completed in 2004 should be treated carefully because Jones’ later comments suggested otherwise.
Career and Personal Interests
Altaunbay was mainly known as a bodyguard, but several biographies say he also had an interest in the performing arts. He reportedly took singing lessons and performed at weddings and private events.
Some sources also describe him as a model or actor and connect him with stage performances and a project called Mind Games. These claims are not strongly supported by accessible industry records. It is more accurate to say that he had creative interests rather than describing him as an established entertainment professional.
Charity Work in Belgium
After leaving public life, Altaunbay reportedly became involved in humanitarian work. Several reports connect him with Helping Hands Belgium, a volunteer organisation supporting disadvantaged people and communities.
He was described as a chairman or president of the organisation. His reported charity work showed a quieter side of his life, far removed from the headlines about his marriage. Instead of using his celebrity connection for attention, he appeared to focus on community service and helping people in need.
What Happened to Atila Altaunbay?
Atila Altaunbay reportedly died in October 2021 in Belgium. If the commonly reported birth year of 1976 is correct, he was approximately 45 years old.
Reports say Helping Hands Belgium announced his death and honoured him for his leadership and charitable service. His funeral was reportedly held at the Antwerpen Mehmet Akif Mosque, and he was buried in Belgium.
The cause of his death was not publicly disclosed. Some websites have suggested suspicious circumstances, but no reliable evidence supports those claims. Without a family statement, medical report or official announcement, his cause of death should be described as unknown.
Age, Height and Appearance
Altaunbay was reportedly born in 1976, but his exact birthday remains unknown. Some inconsistencies also exist regarding his age at the time of the 1996 wedding.
Online profiles commonly list his height as 5 feet 7 inches, or 170 centimetres, and his weight as around 68 kilograms. These figures are not supported by clear official records. Photographs show that he had dark hair, brown eyes and a physically fit build suitable for security work.
Children and Relationships
Atila Altaunbay and Grace Jones had no biological children together. Paulo Goude was Jones’ son from an earlier relationship and was not Altaunbay’s biological child.
There is no reliable public information showing that Altaunbay had children with another partner. His romantic life after separating from Jones also remained private. No later marriage or confirmed relationship was publicly documented.
Atila Altaunbay’s Net Worth
Several websites estimate Atila Altaunbay’s net worth at approximately $800,000. However, this amount is not supported by tax records, business documents, property information or statements from his family.
He likely earned money through security work and other private employment. Claims that he built significant wealth through singing, acting or modelling remain uncertain. His actual net worth was never publicly confirmed, so online estimates should not be treated as factual.
Social Media
There are no verified personal social-media accounts clearly connected to Altaunbay. Accounts using his name may belong to fans or unrelated individuals.
His limited online presence supports the idea that he preferred privacy after separating from Grace Jones. Any photographs connected with his later charity work appear to have been shared through organisational pages rather than a personal public profile.
Final Thoughts
Atila Altaunbay lived an unusual life that moved from private security to an internationally discussed celebrity marriage. His relationship with Grace Jones brought him attention, but he later chose a quieter path in Belgium.
Although many parts of his story remain uncertain, his reported charity work suggests he built an identity beyond being Grace Jones’ former husband. His death in 2021 ended a private life that continued to attract public curiosity, largely because so many questions remained unanswered.
FAQs
Who was Atila Altaunbay?
Atila Altaunbay was a Turkish-born security professional who became known after marrying singer, actress and model Grace Jones. He later lived privately in Belgium and reportedly became involved in charity work.
How did Atila Altaunbay meet Grace Jones?
He reportedly met Grace Jones while working in security in Belgium. Jones later hired him as her personal bodyguard, and their professional relationship gradually developed into a romance.
When did Atila Altaunbay marry Grace Jones?
The couple married on February 24, 1996, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Their relationship attracted attention because Jones was approximately 27 years older than Altaunbay.
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