An international beauty queen and movie star from the Philippines who met her groom in France when she covered the Cannes film festival for a U.S. TV network, a business magnate from Turkey who met his bride while buying a boat in Cannes, Swarovski crystal trimmings on a 10-foot cake, 100 security personnel, a P2, 500-a-plate dinner, and bottles of P12, 000 champagne—that's what world-class weddings are made of.
Their lover story is one for the books. Theirs is the kind of love that crossed territorial boundaries, broke language barriers, defied religious differences.
Sharmaine Ruffa Gutirrez was growing up, she always knew she was destined to be somebody. It helped that she knew she had famous parents. So, even as a young girl, she was showing unmistakable signs of what was to become of her—a star.
Ruffa Gutierrez's Daughters Reunite With Father After 15 Years
In 1993, at 19, Ruffa won as Second Princess in the Miss World Pageant. The win opened doors for a brief international career.
Meanwhile, in another part of the world called Turkey, a young man by the name of Yilmaz Bektas was also growing up. He was the adventurous kind. He had cheated death twice, surviving a motorcycle incident and a fall from the roof of a house.
He went on to become a businessman. After graduating from an American university in Cyprus, he took over the leadership of his family's vast business interests, which had to do with petroleum, communication, trading, and diamonds.
The Wedding Video
One fateful day in the year of 2000—May 11, to be exact—their paths crossed. This happened in a restaurant in Cannes, in the south of France. She was there to cover the international film festival for The Century Productions of Los Angeles. He was there to buy a boat.
The day after the wedding, Ruffa shared how she felt while walking down the aisle: It was an overwhelming feeling ... to see all my old friends, to see my family.
Everyone got tears in their eyes. Everyone was smiling at me, wishing me the best, and I could truly see that they were happy that I had finally found my soulmate. Amid the music, the prayers, the scene... I was so touched. I was moved to tears. I've been dreaming about this day since I was a little girl.
Tracy & Rufus's Humanist Wedding At Wedderburn Castle
I always wanted a beach wedding, a princess wedding, a palace wedding, and finally, my dream wedding came true. I'm so happy.
We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience on . By continued use, you agree to our privacy policy and accept our use of such cookies. Find out more here.I really couldn't ask for anybody else. I couldn't ask for anything more. He always says that he's proud to be with me. And divorce is never an option. This is the life that we chose, and we're gonna be together till the day we die, said Ruffa in an interview with YES! in 2004.
Sharmaine Ruffa Gutierrez was crowned the Second Princess of Miss World 2003. The princess, daughter of Eddie Gutierrez and Annabelle Rama, had dreams bigger than herself. She conquered countries, armed with her wit and smile.
Unique Weddings By Rev Rufus Thomas
Yilmaz Bektas was the heir of a rich Turkish family. He is a prince in his own right, owning businesses that involved petroleum, trading, diamonds, and communication. He cheated death twice, surviving a motorcycle accident and a fall from the roof of a house. Maybe God or fate had other plans for him.
In Cannes, France, the princess caught the prince's attention. She was there to cover the Cannes film festival. He was there to buy a boat. With just one smile, the two fell in love.
Three years later, on March 25, 2003, a wedding fit for a royal couple was set in a world away—in Manila, Philippines.
Bridgesmaids At The Wedding Of Rupert Finch And Lady Natasha Rufus Isaacs, The Church Of St
With the onset of the war in Iraq, Turkey's neighboring country, the prince hopped from one city to another to fulfill a promise he made to his princess. He arrived only three days before the big day.
Last May 8, the Philippine Star's entertainment section carried the headline Ruffa and Yilmaz to file for annulment in Ricky Lo's entertainment column. Ruffa cited cultural differences as the cause of the separation.
A joint statement was released during the latter part of the day saying: It is with much regret that RUFFA GUTIERREZ and YILMAZ BEKTAS announce their mutual decision to end their four years of marriage.
Ruffa Gutierrez And Yilmaz Bektas Commit To Marriage Counseling
Earnest and sincere efforts at saving their marriage have failed. It is to the best interest of Ruffa and Yilmaz, their children, and respective families that such decision to sever marital ties had to be made.
All issues and formalities concerning the dissolution of the marriage shall be done in accordance with applicable laws in the most cordial, amicable, and private way possible for the benefit of all concerned.
Ruffa and Yilmaz will remain committed parents and continue to be friends as they live their separate lives. They ask for everyone's understanding and consideration in respecting the family's privacy during this most difficult time. No further statements will be issued.
Ruffa And Mike Photography Investment Guide 2022 By Ruffa And Mike Photography
, a Turkish newspaper, reported supposed details about the mysterious Moorish prince. The report described Yilmaz as the son of Haci Muhittin Bektas, an international narcotics smuggler. He was also said to have another princess in his life, Selen Gorguzel—his alleged first wife. Yilmaz and Selen have a daughter together, Ilknaz, the article said.
I am the only wife—the first and the last. I am a part of his present, I am a part of his future. Ako lang ang pinakasalan. I am the only Mrs. Bektas. We're very happy, said Ruffa, who was on her fifth month of pregnancy at that time, in an interview with
Yilmaz, in an open letter to the media in 2003, explained the issues surrounding his marriage and family background: I was married on 25.03.2003 for the first and last time to Sharmaine Ruffa Gutierrez. There was nothing solemnized in marriage with anybody else before such date. Therefore under the Turkish Civil Code, I have the right to solemnize a marriage for which I am fit in all respects. I had a daughter in 1999 from my ex fiancée, Selen, having duly registered the child in my census log under my family name. We have mutually terminated this relationship in a peaceful settlement as two modern individuals. Since we have a child, we have been maintaining our relations at an appreciable level...
Ruffa And Yilmaz: The End Of A Fairytale?
About the rumors that broke out about my father, Muhittin Bektas, his bank accounts with high deposits have been frozen due to alleged failure in making them declared. The trial has continued for about two years now. Since it was a big amount that was failed to declare, the press wrote speculative news predicting that such amount of moneys [sic] might have been earned from unfair deals such as gold, diamond, arms, drugs, and oil smuggling.
YASMEEN. On September 4, 2003, the prince and princess wed in Muslim rites, witnessed by Ruffa's parents, Yilmaz's family, and Jun Lalin—the Gutierrez's publicist.
We had a Christian ceremony in the Philippines, and then we had our Muslim wedding in Acarkent. It was the imam that officiated. It was basically a blessing. It wasn't like a wedding for show. It was a blessing for us to be together, explained Ruffa.
Lorin: Sweet 16
She added, They [Yilmaz's family] gave me my Muslim name, which is Yasmeen. And sacrificed lambs to give to the poor children, and it was really nice.
Yilmaz is very intelligent. He hates violence. He's always praying for peace. He wants to do something to help make a difference, which he said he's never done before. He's very responsible, described Ruffa of her husband.
She said, I've learned na 'wag sabayan 'yong galit niya. Pag siya'ng galit, dapat tahimik lang ako. Pag ako'ng galit, quiet din siya. Kasi kung pareho kami, oh my goodness, wala na. Nag-rumble na...
Oooh, Shiny: Newlyweds Give Away Gold Bars To Wedding Guests
I really couldn't ask for anybody else. I couldn't ask for anything more. He always says that he's proud to be with me. And divorce is never an option. This is the life that we chose, and we're gonna be together till the day we die.
A WORLD AWAY. Maganda ang Turkey, especially during the summer, described Ruffa of her new home. Even in the winter, it's nice... You can't see any bums in the street. It's very modern, very historical. It's a little bit of Italy, a little bit of Greece.
She struggled a bit with the language barrier at first, but being the intelligent woman that she is, she learned the language quickly.
Photos: Extravagant Weddings In Showbiz History
She said, People can't understand me! Most of the people, they really don't speak English. It's not like here in the Philippines, whether you're rich or poor, or middle class, 99 percent of the people are literate, you know... I know a lot of words [now]. I think I know a lot more Turkish than I do Spanish. You have to, e. Or else, you know, you'll be lost along the way.
During ‘yong special occasions, di ba, like my mom's birthday, my dad's birthday, or Christmas? You know, things like that Yilmaz hates celebrating. Like,
