Born in 1949 in Istanbul, Bülent Eczacıbaşı graduated from the University of London (Imperial College of Science and Technology) and obtained his master's degree in chemical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. After initiating his professional career in 1974 in Eczacıbaşı Holding, Bülent Eczacıbaşı held a variety of management positions in Eczacıbaşı Group companies.
Over the years, Bülent Eczacıbaşı has been involved in a large number of civic associations, including TÜSİAD, the Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association, where he was Chairman of the Board (1991-1993) and Chairman of the High Advisory Council (1997-2001). He was also founding Chairman of the Turkish Economic and Social Studies Foundation (TESEV) (1993-1997) and Chairman of the Board of the Turkish Pharmaceuticals Manufacturers' Association (2000-2008).
Presently, Bülent Eczacıbaşı continues to serve TÜSİAD as Honorary Chairman, TESEV as a member of the High Advisory Board, and the Turkish Pharmaceuticals Manufacturers' Association as Honorary President. He is also the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the İstanbul Modern Art Foundation, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of İstanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts (İKSV), a member of the International Advisory Boards of the Harvard Kennedy School and Akbank, and also member of the European Round Table of Industrialists (ERT).
Bülent Eczacıbaşı and his wife, Oya, have two children.