Biography

Born in istanbul in 1946.
Graduated from American Girls College in İzmir (1964.)
Graduated from Ecole Superieure de Journalism in Paris (1966)
L'Institut des Etudes Theatrales at the Sorbonne University in Paris (1964-67)

1968 - 2001 1968-2001 worked in "Milliyet" newspaper as columnist , theatre critic and "grande reporteur"...

Founded the Milliyet "Cultural Review" (bi-monthly 7O page magazine on arts and culture) in 1972 , of which she was the editor in chief until 2001

Since 2001 She is working for "CUMHURİYET " daily.

Author of 15 books, among which are short stories, collection of essays, biographies, travelogues, research on women issues, human rights issues and cultural issues...
Author of one play : "Adsız Oyun" (A Play Without a Title) which was produced by the Municipal Theatre of İstanbul (1974 )

Worked for Robert Wilson for the "İstanbul Project 2000".

Guest Lecturer on theatre , culture and women rights both in Turkey and abroad.

Zeynep Oral is married to Ahmet Oral (architect) and is the mother of Emre and Kerem and the grandmother of Lara, Yuna , Aslan and Maya.

Among her awards are :

 - 2000 -Mothers for Peace by UNESCO - Greece
 - Best Travel Book Award " by the Tourism and Travel Writers Association Turkey for her book "My Far East" (1998)
 - 75. Anniversary of Turkish Republic Award - Turkish Women Association (1998)
 - "Contribution to women's rights" Award-(1995) ; Best Women writer (1994) for her work and book "To be a Woman".
 - Communication Gurus in Art and Literature Award by the Istanbul University (1994)
 - Officier des Palmes Academiques " by the French government (1990)
 - Best Serial in journalism" Awards (1984, 1985, 1986)

Some of her NGO activities are:

 - Ex-President of the Turkish Theatre Critics Association.
 - Honarary Vice President of AICT (International Association of Theatre Critics )
 - Member of PEN Club
 - Member of Turkish Writers Union.

One of the founders and active ex.com member of organizations such as:

 - "Turkish-Greek Peace Association"
 - "Nazım Hikmet Foundation."
 - "WİNPEACE" (Women Initiative for Peace)
 - "Ana-Kültür" (Mother-Culture)
 - Advisor to the International İstanbul Theatre Festival.