List of Famous people born in Istanbul Province

Ergün Poyraz is a best-selling and prolific Turkish author known for his controversial books about the ruling Justice and Development Party, the Islamic preacher Fethullah Gülen, and people associated with them. He is best known for his 2007 book Children of Moses, which accused Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and his wife of being secret Jews and of cooperating with Israeli intelligence to undermine Turkish secularism. He was arrested in 2007 and was a defendant in the Ergenekon trials; on 5 August 2013, he was sentenced to 29 years in prison.

İrem Karamete is a Turkish female fencer competing in the foil event at the 2016 Summer Olympics. She is the first Turkish fencer to qualify for the Olympics since 1984.

Sarp Palaur, better known by his stage name Şanışer, is a Turkish rapper and songwriter.

Leyla Tanlar is a Turkish actress, model and gymnast. She began acting in 2014 drama series Paramparça, portraying Cansu, at the age of 16. Consequently, she had appeared in three television dramas and she is the leading role in 2019 series Ferhat ile Şirin.

Osman Nuri Topbaş is a Turkish Sufi master and author who lives in Istanbul, Turkey. He is the spiritual leader of the Naqshbandi Sufi Order based in Kadıköy, İstanbul.

Zeynep Sevde Paksu is a Turkish writer and publisher. She is best known for her popular humorous stories for children.

Reha Erdem is a Turkish film director and screenwriter.

Zeynep Birsel Oral is a female Turkish journalist. She is also a writer, theatre critic and a cultural editor.

Cemal Kafadar is Professor of History and the Vehbi Koç Professor of Turkish Studies in the Harvard University Department of History. He is an honorary member of the Turkish Historical Society.

Okben Ulubay is a Turkish professional basketball player for Beşiktaş Emlakjet of the Basketbol Süper Ligi (BSL). He mainly plays the small forward position, but he also has the ability to play as a shooting guard.