The Egyptian film industry might date back to the early 1900s, but its golden age—which was defined by the legendary characters played by Faten Hamama and Omar Sharif—has just lost one of its last living legends: Nadia Lutfi.
On February 4, Lufti passed away aged 83 after being admitted to a hospital in Cairo earlier this week. The veteran Egyptian actress died following complications from a respiratory-related illness.
Ashraf Zaki, president of Egypt’s Actor’s council, announced her death and reported that Lutfi’s funeral would take place today in Cairo.
Born Paula Mohamed Shafiq to an Eygptian father and a Polish mother, Lutfi made her screen debut in 1958 at 24-years-old and went on to make a name for herself for standout roles on the silver screen, most notably in the film ‘Al Nadara Al Sawdaa’.
“She now sits on the throne of Arab cinema as a landmark,” said the former Egyptian Minister of Culture Dr. Ines Abdel-Dayem in a statement. “Nadia was the key to the success of some of the greatest immortal works.”
