Sila Sahin-Radlinger, 39, has long captured the attention of the German public, primarily through her role on the beloved soap opera Gute Zeiten, schlechte Zeiten. Recently, she opened up about her life experiences, shedding light on her childhood, career, relationships, and her surprising reflections on love and identity during her early adulthood.
Born and raised in Berlin, Sila had quite the unique upbringing, spending significant time within the walls of her local hospital, where her mother, Hani, worked as a nurse. Unlike most children, the smell of antiseptic and fresh coffee brought her warmth rather than fear. "I grew up practically inside a Berlin hospital. My mother often worked night shifts, so I spent countless hours among the nursing staff, drinking coffee and cherishing the environment," Sila shared during her interview with BILD.
Despite this unconventional childhood, Sila encountered pressure over her future career aspirations. Initially, she contemplated becoming a diamond cutter, drawn to the colorful stones she collected as a child. "My parents immigrated from Turkey, and they did not approve of my plans to move to Idar-Oberstein for diamond cutting; it was too far for them," she stated.
After her parents' separation when she was just three, Sila's mother encouraged her to pursue more stable career paths. Because of her mother’s reservations about acting, Sila pursued beauty therapy and secretly enrolled at the Charlottenburg acting school, funding her classes with the earnings from her job.
Despite her mother’s initial fears about the stability of acting as a career, Sila's dedication bore fruit when she secured her role on GZSZ in 2009. This led to significant recognition and success, which she used to support her family. "From the first paycheck, I took my mother on vacation and bought my first car, which was truly exhilarating for me," she remarked proudly.
The breakthrough signaled not just professional success but was also pivotal for her personal life. Sila enjoyed public recognition and, eventually, romance with her co-star Jörn Schlönvoigt. Their relationship culminated in them winning the German Soap Award for "Best Couple". Still, another life lesson awaited Sila.
Between 2013 and 2015, she was involved with football star Ilkay Gündogan, but the relationship ended, leading Sila to rethink her approach to love. "After Ilkay, I felt I could never love another man again. I even considered whether I should just start dating women instead," she admitted, reflecting on her emotional turmoil. "But I never tried it with anyone; it was merely something I thought about during the time of helplessness," she clarified.
Then, entering her life was Samuel Sahin-Radlinger, the Austrian football goalkeeper. During their courtship, Sila found herself captivated all over again. "I had seen him play guitar on Facebook, and I instantly adored him," she recalled. But there was hesitation; seeing he was also a footballer made her initially block him from contacting her. "After the experiences with Ilkay, I did not want another football player; it’s enough to learn your lesson once, as they say. But Samy was persistent," she admitted.
Marrying Samuel after nine months of dating signified more than just love; it represented Sila's hope for stability and happiness. "We had the most beautiful wedding, and to my mother, Samy is the best man alive. She may have doubted my previous partners, but not him," Sila said, indicating her mother’s growing trust and newfound respect.
Now settled with her husband and two children, Elijah and Noah, Sila revels in her family life and the joys it brings. They currently share their lives between Vienna and Sila’s fulfilling career, frequently reflecting the balance between her roles as both mother and actress.
Having faced numerous challenges and transitions, Sahin-Radlinger is resolute about her identity and future. From considering lesbianism to finding her partner, she describes her experiences with humor and warmth. "I think everything I went through led me to appreciate Samy genuinely," Sila stated with conviction, showcasing the growth and acceptance she has achieved over the years.
Today, Sila Sahin-Radlinger shines as much for her talent as for her resilience and ability to embrace life’s unpredictability. From soap operas to love stories, her narrative continues to inspire many who seek strength amid uncertainties.