Shadia facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Shadia
شادية
Shadia, c. 1961
Born	Fatma Ahmad Kamal Shaker فاطمة أحمد كمال شاكر (1931-02-08)8 February 1931 Cairo, Egypt
Died	28 November 2017(2017-11-28) (aged 86) Cairo, Egypt
Nationality	Egyptian
Other names	Idol of the Masses Guitar of the Arabic Song The Golden Guitar
Occupation	Actress singer
Years active	1947–1984
Spouse(s)	Emad Hamdy (1953–1956) Aziz Fathi (1958–1958) Salah Zulfikar (1964–1970)

Fatma Ahmed Kamal Shaker (Arabic: فاطمة أحمد كمال شاكر; 8 February 1931 – 28 November 2017), known by her stage name Shadia (Arabic: شادية, Shādiyya), was a famous Egyptian actress and singer. She was well-known for her roles in fun comedies and serious drama movies during the 1950s and 1960s. Shadia became one of the most important actresses and singers in Egypt and the Middle East. She is seen as a symbol of the golden age of Egyptian cinema.

Shadia was also famous for her many patriotic songs. Her movies and songs are still very popular in Egypt and the entire Arab World. Many critics believe she was the most successful Egyptian and Arabic artist ever. Her first movie was "Azhar wa Ashwak" (Flowers and Thorns). Her last film was "La Tas'alni Man Ana" (Don't Ask Me Who I Am).

She is especially known for her patriotic song "Ya Habibti Ya Masr" (Oh Egypt, My Love). Her big breakthrough role was in the 1959 Egyptian film "Al Maraa Al Maghoula" (The Unknown Woman). Six of her movies are among the top 100 Egyptian movies of the 20th century. In 2015, Shadia was the first actress to receive an honorary doctorate from the Egyptian Academy of Arts. She earned the nickname "Idol of the Masses" after her successful movie "Maaboudat El Gamaheer". Other nicknames included "The Guitar of the Arabic Singing" and "The Golden Guitar".

Early Life and Beginnings

Shadia was born as Fatma Ahmed Kamal Shaker in 1931. Her birthplace was Al-Helmyia El Gadida, in Cairo, Egypt. Her father, Ahmed Kamal Shaker, was from Sharqia, Egypt. Shadia had five brothers and sisters. She was the youngest of her sisters and the second youngest among all her siblings.

From a young age, Shadia loved to sing. Her primary school teachers encouraged her to pursue music. She started acting when she was fifteen years old. Shadia's voice became very important for Egypt during difficult times and wars. She was famous for her Egyptian patriotic songs. Two of her most well-known songs are "Ya Habibti Ya Masr" (Oh Egypt, My Love) and "Aqwa Mn El Zaman" (Stronger Than Time). She also took part in many musical shows called operettas. These shows were about Egypt and the Arab world. She performed alongside other famous Egyptian and Arabic singers. Some of these operettas include "Al Watan Al Akbar" (The Great Nation), "El Geel El Sa'ed" (The Rising Generation), and "Soot El Gamaheer" (The Voice of the Masses).

A Star's Career

Shadia chose her own stage name, "Shadia." She named herself after a newborn baby of one of her family's friends. During the 1950s and 1960s, Shadia was at the peak of her career. She acted in many movies, including dramas, romantic films, and comedies. However, it was her amazing singing talent that made her one of the most important stars in Egyptian cinema. Overall, Shadia appeared in more than 100 films.

Famous Film Roles

Shadia with Salah Zulfikar in Aghla Min Hayati (1965)

Shadia acted with many leading men. She starred with Salah Zulfikar in his very first film, "Oyoun Sahrana" (Wakeful Eyes), in 1956. Later, they became a famous acting pair. They made six more films together. Their movies were very successful and became classics of Egyptian cinema.

She also starred in over 30 films with the actor Kamal El Shennawy. Shadia sang with famous singers like Farid El Atrash and Abdel Halim Hafez. One of their movies was "Ma'boudat El Gamaheer" (The People's Idol) in 1967. She also appeared with Faten Hamama in "Mawe'd Ma'a El Hayah" (Appointment with Life), directed by Ezz El-Dine Zulficar in 1954. In "El Mar'a El Maghola" (The Unknown Woman), from 1959, she played a serious role as Fatma.

Comedy and Serious Roles

Shadia was often chosen for clever and playful roles. But she also played many serious characters. Some of her well-known films include "El les we El Kelab" (The Thief and the Dogs) from 1962. Her comedy roles were very popular, such as in "El Zouga raqam 13" (Wife Number 13) in 1962. She also had huge success with a trilogy of films alongside the iconic Egyptian actor and producer Salah Zulfikar. These were "Miraty Modeer A'am" (My Wife, the Director General) in 1966, "Karamat Zawgaty" (My Wife's Dignity) in 1967, and "Afreet Mirati" (My Wife's Goblin) in 1968.

She played serious parts in films like "Shey Min El Khouf" (A Taste of Fear) from 1969, produced by Salah Zulfikar Films. Other serious roles were in "Uyoon Sahranah" (Wakeful Eyes) from 1956, "El Tareeq" (The Road) from 1964, and "Lamset Hanan" (A Touch of Tenderness) from 1971. This was her last film with Salah Zulfikar. She also performed in the stage play "Raya and Sakina," directed by Hussein Kamal in 1953. This play was based on the true story of two serial killers from Alexandria.

Shadia also produced two films herself. She even appeared in several films that were shown in Japan.

Shadia with Salah Zulfikar and a Russian actress at a cinematic event for A Taste of Fear in Cairo, 1969

Her mega-hit song "Ya Habibti Ya Masr" (Oh Egypt, My Love) is considered one of the best patriotic songs ever. Shadia once said in a TV interview that singing for her homeland felt more romantic and honest than any love song. She explained that she was singing for her home and her land. After almost 25 years since her retirement, Shadia's song became an important anthem during the Egyptian Revolution of 2011.

Retirement from Acting

Shadia decided to retire from her career at the age of 50. She explained that her decision was based on her religious beliefs. She had gone through many difficult times in her life. These experiences led her to return to her faith. She chose to dedicate the rest of her life to caring for orphan children. She said this brought her the greatest joy. She also donated all the money she earned from her acting and singing career to charities. She stated that she never hesitated to make this decision.

Illness and Passing

On November 4, 2017, Shadia was taken to the hospital in Cairo. She had suffered a serious stroke. She was placed in intensive care. Her nephew, Khaled Shaker, said in a TV interview that she recovered from the stroke. She could recognize her family and friends around her. However, her illness became more complicated because she developed pneumonia.

Shadia's condition became stable on November 9. President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi visited her that day at Al-Galaa Hospital. Her nephew later said that her first words after recovering were "I want to go home." But she had some difficulty speaking. On November 28, Shadia passed away. Her death was caused by respiratory failure due to pneumonia.

Tribute

On February 8, 2021, Google honored Shadia on what would have been her 90th birthday. They created a special Google Doodle for her. This Doodle was shown in Egypt, Israel, and Sweden.

Filmography

Lobby Card for Wakeful Eyes (1956)

Shadia with Salah Zulfikar in My Wife, the Director General (1966)

See also

In Spanish: Shadia para niños