Christmas will be an emotional time for Nazan Eckes and her family. The presenter spends the holidays with her husband Julian Khol and their two sons with their parents-in-law in Vienna. In her thoughts, however, the presenter is with her father in Turkey, who is suffering from dementia. "When my father was he althy, he always dreamed of spending the rest of his life in Turkey," she explains in an interview with the "Bild" newspaper. "When the time comes, he won't even notice it anymore."
Early in 2021, Eckes took time off from her job to take care of her father. He is currently "happy in his own little world," she reveals. He reacts strongly to Turkish music, which apparently awakens childhood memories in him. However, it is sad for her and her family to experience this. "Dad hasn't recognized me or my sons for a long time," says Eckes.
Family cohesion
She and her sister last traveled to Turkey in November to support their mother. For two years she insisted on "taking care of our father herself," explains Eckes. She is now ready to accept the help of her daughters. At the moment, Eckes finds love and strength above all in her two sons. "I pull myself together for them. They catch a lot, always make me laugh."
