Shadia

Acting • 1929-02-08 • Cairo, Egypt

Fatma Ahmed Kamal Shaker, better known by her stage name Shadia. was an Egyptian actress and singer. She was famous for her roles in light comedies and drama in the 1950s and 1960s. She was the third wife of Salah Zulfikar. Shadia was one of the iconic actresses and singers in Egypt and the Middle East region and a symbol of the golden age of Egyptian cinema and is known for her many patriotic songs. Her movies and songs are popular in Egypt and the Arab World. Critics consider her the most successful comprehensive Egyptian and Arabic artist of all time. Her first appearance in a film was in "Azhar wa Ashwak" (Flowers and Thorns), and her last film was "La Tas'alni Man Ana" (Don't Ask Me Who I Am).[1] She is also known for her patriotic song "Ya Habibti Ya Masr" (Oh Egypt, My Love) and her breakthrough leading role in the Egyptian movie "Al Maraa Al Maghoula" (The Unknown Woman).[2] Six of her movies are listed in the top 100 Egyptian movies of the 20th century. In April 2015, she became the first actress to be awarded an honorary doctorate by the Egyptian Academy of Arts. She was given the nickname "Idol of the Masses" following her successful movie "Maaboudat El Gamaheer" (Idol of the Masses).[citation needed] Other notable nicknames include "The Guitar of the Arabic Singing" and "The Golden Guitar".