interview
Nazan Eckes
“We should listen more to what we really want”
© Franziska Krug / Getty Images
Nazan Eckes is a successful presenter, model and mom. In an interview with GALA, she reveals what a stroke of fate taught her. Namely: Life is too short not to follow your heart.
GALA: You are part of comma’s “True Role Models” campaign. To what extent do you see yourself as a “real role model”?
Nazan Eckes: Calling yourself a role model always seems weird. However, with everything I do, I try to motivate women or get them excited about something. No matter whether for sports, a healthy lifestyle or being a mother and career woman. I want to show that there are no borders for women.
What do you think it means to be a strong woman?
Allowing for weaknesses, asking someone for help when it’s all getting to be too much. Men like to fraternize, push each other. We women think we always have to pack everything on our own. That is not healthy.
What does family mean to you?
All. My children are my everything. I love seeing them develop into more and more of their own characters day by day. I also have a very close relationship with my siblings and my mother. We are there for each other in all walks of life.
Is it sometimes difficult to balance your job and family?
It’s exhausting, but I chose it that way. I love my children more than anything and spend a lot of time with them. But I also really enjoy working and arrange my appointments in such a way that they can be easily combined with my family time.
You have two sons. Have you ever had obstacles put in your way because you are a mother?
So far as a mother actually not yet. My children keep coming to visit their mum during productions in the studio. They love to see what their mom is up to at work. They always run into meetings in the home office. I try to involve them in everything and so far it’s working out quite well.
You once said you had an “indestructibly strong mom”. What advice did she give you along the way?
Her most important advice: “Follow your heart, trust your mind. You always knew exactly what you wanted!” It wasn’t long ago that she said that to me. That touched me very much.
Her roots are in Turkey and Germany. You were recently in Istanbul with comma. What does Turkey evoke in you?
A tingling in the stomach. I love Turkey, especially Istanbul. As much as I’m rooted in Germany by now, it’s always a bit like coming home for me when I fly to Turkey.
Are your sons familiar with their Turkish roots?
Yes very. I talk to them about everything. Explain to them the difference between German and Turkish culture. They also love a lot of Turkish dishes, which their Anneanne (grandmother) can cook much better than me.
“Life is too short” was recently under one of your Instagram posts. What are you trying to say?
That life really is way too short to worry about what is right or wrong. We all tend to orient ourselves more towards social values and norms. We want to please others, not disappoint anyone. We should listen more to what we really want. Life is so much more than getting up in the morning, driving to work, rattling off the daily grind and then hitting repeat.