# Ma'ali Zayed

Ma'ali Zayed (Arabic: معالي زايد; November 5, 1953 - November 10, 2014) was an Egyptian actress who appeared in over 30 films, as well as numerous theatrical productions and television series in Egypt.
She studied at the College of Art Education and then the Higher Institute of Cinema. Her first artistic appearance on television was in the movie “The Promised Night.” Zayed gained prominence for her roles in the series "Tears in Shameless Eyes" and "Heat Wave," as well as her part in the theatrical production "Extra Sugar." Her career in cinema commenced in 1987 with her debut film "Life is Wasted, My Son." Notably, she rose to fame for her performances in "The Egg and the Stone" and "Those Gentlemen," the latter being a groundbreaking Egyptian film that addressed the subject of gender-affirming surgery (female-to-male) in Arabic societies.
She died on November 10, 2014, following a long battle with the Lung cancer.

## Early life and education

Zayed was born on November 5, 1953, on Champollion Street in central Cairo, into a family with a rich tradition in acting, writing scripts, and singing. Her mother, Amal Zayed, and her aunt, Gamalat Zayed, were both esteemed actresses. Zayed pursued her education at the College of Art Education and later attended the Higher Institute of Cinema, where she honed her skills in filmmaking. She graduated from the Faculty of Fine Arts with a focus on painting.

## Early career

Born on November 5, 1953, Ma'ali Zayed began her acting career with supporting roles in various movies and television series. Notable among her early works are her roles in the movie "We Daa Al Omr Ya Waladi" (Arabic: ضاع العمر يا ولدي) (1978) and the TV series "Eilet El Doughry" (Arabic: عيلة الدوغري) (1980). However, it was her ability to make bold and instinctive choices that distinguished her from her peers. Zayed soon started carving out her own niche in the film industry, delivering remarkable performances in television series such as "Bein El Quassrein" (Arabic: بين القصرين) (1987) and "Quasr El Shawk" (Arabic: قصر الشوق) (1988), the latter being based on the works of renowned Egyptian author Naguib Mahfouz.
In 1987, she received the prestigious Best Actress Award from the Film Society for her exceptional performance in the movie "Those Gentlemen" (Arabic: السادة الرجال), solidifying her status as a respected figure in Egyptian cinema.

## Personal life

Beyond her acting career, Maali Zayed had a passion for drawing portraits and harbored a dream of holding her own art exhibition. During breaks between acting engagements, she devoted time to preparing her paintings.
She maintained a private farm along the Egypt-Alexandria desert road, where she sought solace and relaxation during breaks from her busy schedule. She was at one point married, but the relationship ended in divorce
Ma'ali Zayed was admired for her beauty and warm personality. She decorated her home with paintings and awards, and had a pet dog.

## Selected works
### Movies

| Year | Film | Name Translation | Role |
| 1978 | We Daa Al Omr Ya Waladi | Life is Wasted, My Son | |
| 1980 | Darb al-Fananeen | The Artists' Way | |
| 1982 | Aroosa wa gooz ersan | Bride and Two Grooms | |
| 1983 | Wala min shaf wala min duri | Neither Seen, Nor Known | |
| 1983 | El Arbagy | The Wagoner | |
| 1984 | Bayt al-Qadi | The Judge's House | Afaf |
| 1984 | el-Forn | The Bakery | |
| 1984 | el-Armala w al-Shaitan | The Widow and the Devil | |
| 1985 | Qadeyet Aam Ahmed | Uncle Ahmed's Case | Fatma |
| 1985 | Asal el-Hob el-Mor | Love's Bitter Honey | Yasmine |
| 1985 | Ana Ely Katlt El-Hanash | I Killed El-Hanash | |
| 1985 | El Shaqa Men Haq El Zogga | The Apartment Belongs to the Wife | |
| 1985 | El halal yiksab | Halal Wins | |
| 1985 | Estghaset Min Al-Alam El-Akhar | A Cry from Beyond | |
| 1986 | Li el-Hob Qesaa Akhira | Love Has A Final Story | Salwa |
| 1986 | E'mra'a Mutamareda | A Rebellious Woman | Safaa |
| 1986 | Al-Sakakeni | Knives maker | |
| 1987 | Shahed Ethbat | Prosecution Witness | Salma |
| 1987 | Al-Ta'na | The Stab | |
| 1987 | el-Sada el-Afadel | Those Gentlemen | Fawzia |
| 1987 | Al-Zawga Ta'arif Akthar | The Wife Knows More | Wafaa |
| 1988 | Samak Laban Tamr Hendy | Fish, Milk, Tamarind | Qadara |
| 1989 | Katebet al-E'dam | Execution Squad | |
| 1989 | Sydaati Anisaati | Ladies and Misses | |
| 1990 | Jahim 2 | Hell 2 | |
| 1990 | Al-Khatar | Danger | |
| 1990 | Al-Baida Wal-Hajar | The Egg and the Stone | |
| 1991 | Al-Sarkha | The Shout | |
| 1992 | Doctora Ma' Martabet el-Sharaf | PhD with Honors | |
| 1992 | El-Mutahma | The Accused | Layla |
| 1992 | El-Zaman El-Sa'ab | Difficult Time | |
| 1993 | Lolaaky | If It Weren't For You | Salwa |
| 1995 | El-Marakbi | The Ferryman | |
| 1995 | Aswar el-Hob | Love's Gates | |
| 1996 | Ragol Mohem Giddann | A Very Important Man | |
| 1996 | El-Mokalma El-Qatela | The Deadly Call | |
| 1996 | Abu El-Dahab | Gold Owner | |
| 2000 | Qadr Emra'a | A Woman's Destiny | |
| 2001 | Anbar wal Alwan | Anbar and the Colors | |