Ayşe Nana (78) had been battling with cancer in Rome for the past months.
Originally an Istanbulite Armenian, Ayşe Nana followed a career as oriental dancer from 1950s to 1980s in Istanbul, Roma and Paris. Later in the 1980s, she opened up theater and dance schools.
On November 5, 1958, she stirred controversy both in Italy and Turkey with her dance performance in Rome’s Rugantino Night Club.
L'Espresso published her nude topless photos at party, a photo shoot that caused criticism amid Italy’s Catholics.
Following that, she was detained for “undocumented labor” and “performing obscene shows”. An undisclosed millionaire reportedly bailed her out, saving her from deportation.
Ayşe Nana got engaged with Saro Balsamo, a journalist.
Various sources also claim that Nana inspired Fellini for his masterpiece La Dolce Vita. (ÇT/BM)
