# Shadia

Fatma Ahmad Kamal Shaker (Arabic: فاطمة أحمد كمال شاكر; 8 February 1931 – 28 November 2017), better known by her stage name Shadia (Arabic: شادية, Shādya), 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 of her many patriotic songs.
Shadia's films and songs are popular in Egypt and all 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).
She is also known for her patriotic song "Ya Habibti Ya Masr" (Oh Egypt, My Love.) Her breakthrough leading role came in the 1959 Egyptian film "Al Maraa Al Maghoula" (The Unknown Woman) directed by Mahmoud Zulfikar. Six of her movies are listed in the top 100 Egyptian movies of the 20th century.
In April 2015, Shadia 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 "Ma'budet el Gamahir" (Idol of the Masses). Other notable nicknames include "The Guitar of the Egyptian Singing" (Arabic: جيتارة الغناء) and "The Golden Guitar" (Arabic: الجيتارة الذهبية).

## Early life

Shadia was born "Fatma Ahmad Kamal Shaker" on 8 February 1931, in Elhelmiyya Elgedida, in Cairo, Egypt, to an Egyptian father Ahmed Kamal Sahker from Sharqia and a mother of Turkish origin. In 1947, she fell in love with an Egyptian officer from Upper Egypt, and was heartbroken by his death during the 1948 war. Shadia had five sisters and brothers. She was the youngest of her sisters and the second youngest among all her siblings. Since her childhood, Shadia loved to sing and was encouraged to pursue music at primary school.

## Career

Shaker gave herself the stage name "Shadia", after the name of a newborn of one of her family's friends. She began acting at the age of fifteen. In her heyday during the 1950s and 1960s, Shadia acted in numerous melodramas, romance, and comedy films. However, it was her singing talent that established Shadia as one of the most important Egyptian cinema stars of her era.
Overall, as "Shadia", she performed in more than 100 films. Shadia is credited for acting alongside leading man Salah Zulfikar in his film debut, "Oyoun Sahrana" (Wakeful Eyes, 1956). Later, she paired with Zulfikar in six films, forming a famous duet, achieving major commercial and critical success, and becoming an Egyptian cinema classic. She also starred in more than 30 films with the actor Kamal El Shennawy, and sang opposite Farid El Atrash and Abdel Halim Hafez, such as in "Ma'boudat El Gamaheer" (The People's Idol, 1967). She appeared with Faten Hamama in Ezz El-Dine Zulfikar's "Mawe'd Ma'a El Hayah" (Appointment with Life, 1954), and in "El Mar'a El Maghula" (The Unknown Woman, 1959) by Mahmoud Zulfikar, she played the role of Fatma in a heavy melodrama.
Other films she starred in include "El les we El Kelab" (The Thief and the Dogs, 1962) with Shoukry Sarhan, where she played the role of a prostitute for the first time. She starred in comedy roles in films such as "El Zouga raqam 13" (Wife Number 13, 1962).
Her famous trilogy alongside Salah Zulfikar; "Merati Modir 'Am " (My Wife, the Director General, 1966), "Karamat Zawgaty" (My Wife's Dignity, 1967) and "Afrit Merati" (My Wife's Goblin, 1968), were huge successes. Shadia was often cast in cunning and cheeky roles, however, she also played serious roles, such as in Salah Zulfikar Films production; "Shey Min El Khouf" (A Taste of Fear, 1969) and "Uyoon Sahranah" (Wakeful Eyes, 1956) by Ezz El-Dine Zulfikar and "El Tareeq" (The Road, 1964) based on a book by Naguib Mahfouz, and "Lamset Hanan" (A Toutch of Tenderness, 1971), her last film opposite Salah Zulfikar.
Shadia performed in the 1985 stage version of "Raya and Sakina", which was based on the 1953 film and true story of two Alexandrian serial killers, directed by Salah Abu Seif. She produced two films, and appeared in several films in Japan.
As a singer, Shadia was called "the voice of Egypt". During hard and war times, she was famous for her Egyptian patriotic songs, especially "Ya Habibti Ya Masr" (Oh Egypt, My Love) and "Aqwa Mn El Zaman" (Stronger Than Time). She participated in many operettas about Egypt and the Arab world along with other Egyptian and Arabic singers, including: "Al Watan Al Akbar" (The Great Nation), "El Geel El Sa'ed" (The Rising Generation), and "Soot El Gamaheer" (The Voice of the Masses). Her mega hit song "Ya Habibti Ya Masr" (Oh Egypt, My Love), was considered one of the best patriotic songs ever. During a TV-interview, Shadia said regarding her famous patriotic song: "When I am singing to my homeland, it is even way more romantic and more honest than any romantic song. Here I am singing to my home, my land. There was a period when Egypt's name was erased (Nasser's era), Egypt’s name will never get erased from our hearts". After almost 25 years of retirement, Shadia's song became an anthem of the Egyptian Revolution of 2011.
Upon returning from the premiere of "Raya and Sakina", Shadia stated that she gave serious thought that night to the idea of repentance. The following morning, she informed her producers that she wanted no part in the play from then on, but eventually promised to finish her work when they insisted that she do so. Thereafter, Shadia retired from the film and music industry, and went on a Umrah to Mecca, where she met the popular Egyptian Azhari scholar Sheikh El Shaarawy. Her meeting with El-Shaarawy influenced Shadia to reach her final decision to start wearing the hijab.

### Retirement

Shadia retired at the age of 50, citing the reason for her retirement as religious. She explained that she had been through many hard periods and rough circumstances throughout her life including struggling with cancer and depression that had veered her from her career. She decided to dedicate the rest of her life to caring for orphan children, stating that was her life's greatest joy. She also donated to charities, a decision she said she never once hesitated to make.

## Personal life

Shadia fell in love with an army officer who was killed during the battles of the 1948 Palestine War. Years later, In 1953, she was married to actor Emad Hamdy. This marriage lasted for 3 years and ended with divorce on good terms. In 1958, Shadia married Aziz Fathi, who was a radio engineer. He was several years younger than Shadia, and it did not take long until problems arose between Shadia and her husband. She filed a lawsuit that continued for a long time in courts and was sentenced to divorce after a marriage that lasted 3 years.
Shadia's third and final marriage came after a highly publicized love story with actor and producer Salah Zulfikar. She fell in love with Zulfikar in 1964 while filming Aghla Min Hayati (1965) and they married in the same year. Zulfikar, who was a box-office star, shared the lead with Shadia in highly successful ventures mid-1960s. In one of her press interviews, she stated that he was the love of her life and he was the only man with whom she wished to have children. Unfortunately, she became pregnant three times and suffered a miscarriage each time. This turned out with depression though Zulfikar who already had children from his first marriage, tried to help her overcome her depression and produced A Taste of Fear (1969) with Shadia in the lead, the film turned out to be one of her cinematic masterpieces. Her depression lead to the end of this marriage and they got divorced around 1970. Shadia never remarried after Zulfikar.

## Illness and death

Shadia was hospitalised on 4 November 2017 after suffering a massive stroke in Cairo. She was placed under intensive care. Her nephew, Khaled Shaker, said during a televised phone conversation that she recovered from the stroke and could identify her relatives and the people around her. He added, however, that her illness was complicated by pneumonia, despite her recovery. Shadia's condition stabilised on 9 November, and President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi visited her that day at Al-Galaa Hospital. Shaker later said that the first words she spoke after recovering were "I want to go home", but had speech difficulties in general.
On 28 November, Shadia died from respiratory failure caused by the pneumonia.

## Tribute

On 8 February 2021 Google celebrated her 90th birthday with a Google Doodle. The Doodle was displayed in Egypt, Palestine and Sweden.

## Filmography

    Source:
| Year | Title | Egyptian Arabic title |
| 1947 | Flowers And Thorns | Azhar W Ashwak أزهار و أشواك |
| 1947 | Mind in Holiday | El Aql Fi Agazah العقل فى اجازه |
| 1947 | Pigeon Of Peace | Hamamet El Salam حمامة السلام |
| 1948 | Justice Of Heaven | 'Adl El Sama عدل السماء |
| 1948 | The Soul and the Body | El Ruh W El Gasad الروح و الجسد |
| 1949 | Speech Of People | Kalam El Nas كلام الناس |
| 1949 | Nadia | Nadia ناديه |
| 1949 | Owner Of Millims | Sahebat El Malalim صاحبة الملاليم |
| 1949 | Eve Of Feast | Lilet El Id ليلة العيد |
| 1950 | The Hero | El Batal البطل |
| 1950 | An Hour for Your Heart | Sa'ah L Qalbak ساعه لقلبك |
| 1950 | The Seventh Wife | El Zogah El Sab'ah الزوجه السابعه |
| 1950 | Nothing Dice | Ma'leshsh Ya Zahr معلش يا زهر |
| 1950 | People Were Unjust To Me | Zalamuni El Nas ظلمونى الناس |
| 1950 | Days of My Youth | Ayam Shababi أيام شبابى |
| 1951 | Busy with Not Me | Mashghul B Gheri مشغول بغيرى |
| 1951 | Eve Of Wedding | Lilet El Hennah ليلة الحنه |
| 1951 | Mister Lion | El Sab' Afandi السبع أفندى |
| 1951 | Earphone Of Telephone | Sama'et El Telephone سماعة التليفون |
| 1951 | In Love Together | F El Hawa Sawa فى الهوا سوا |
| 1951 | Storm in Spring | Asefah F El Rabi عاصفه فى الربيع |
| 1951 | The Caravan Moves | El Qafela Tasir القافله تسير |
| 1951 | My Children | Awladi أولادي |
| 1951 | My Mother-in-Law Is An Atomic Bomb | Hamati Qonbelah Zariyyah حماتى قنبله ذريه |
| 1951 | To Whom I Complain? | Ashki l Min أشكى لمين |
| 1951 | World Is Sweet | El Donya Helwah الدنيا حلوه |
| 1951 | Patience Is Well | El Sabr Gamil الصبر جميل |
| 1951 | Dew Drops | Qatr El Nada قطر الندى |
| 1952 | Hopes | Amal آمال |
| 1952 | The Killer Mother | El Omm El Qatelah الأم القاتله |
| 1952 | Home of Embezzler | Bit El Nattash بيت النتاش |
| 1952 | Anger Of Parents | Ghadab El Waledain غضب الوالدين |
| 1952 | Love Has No Remedy | El Hawa Malush Dawa الهوا ملوش دوا |
| 1952 | Good Comer | Boshret Khir بشرة خير |
| 1952 | The Unlucky One | Qalil El Bakht قليل البخت |
| 1952 | Girl Of Shore | Bent al Shati بنت الشاطئ |
| 1952 | Coming Goodness | Qaddam El Khir قدم الخير |
| 1952 | My Life Is You | Hayati Enta حياتى انت |
| 1952 | I Wronged My Soul | Zalamt Rohi ظلمت روحى |
| 1952 | Fault Of Father | Ghaltet Abb غلطة أب |
| 1952 | Down With Imperialism | Yasqot El Este'mar يسقط الاستعمار |
| 1953 | Your Luck This Week | Hazzak Haza El Esbu حظك هذا الاسبوع |
| 1953 | Me and my Lover | Ana W Habibi انا و حبيبى |
| 1953 | Testimony O People | Eshhadu Ya Nas اشهدو يا ناس |
| 1953 | Between Two Hearts | Bin Qalbin بين قلبين |
| 1953 | Right Word | Kelemet Haqq كلمة حق |
| 1953 | Your Tongue Is Your Horse | Lesanak Hosanak لسانك حصانك |
| 1953 | The Bread-Seller | Baeat El Khobz بائعة الخبز |
| 1953 | The Honest Thief | El Less el Sharif اللص الشريف |
| 1953 | I'm on My Own | Malish Hadd ماليش حد |
| 1954 | Appointment with Life | Maw'ed Ma' el Hayah موعد مع الحياه |
| 1954 | Forter Than Love | Aqwa Men al Hobb أقوى من الحب |
| 1954 | Adventures of Ismail Yasin | Moghamarat Ismail Yasin مغامرات اسماعيل ياسين |
| 1954 | I Am The Love | Ana El Hobb انا الحب |
| 1954 | Daughters Of Eve | Banat Hawa بنات حواء |
| 1954 | Daughter Of Neighbors | Bent el Giran بنت الجيران |
| 1954 | Horor Of Girl | Sharaf El Bent شرف البنت |
| 1954 | Injustice Is Forbidden | El Zolm Haram الظلم حرام |
| 1954 | Don't Think | Ewa Tefakkar إوعا تفكر |
| 1954 | Help Me With Employee Of Marriage | Elhaquni B El Mazun الحقونى بالمأذون |
| 1954 | Women Can't Lie | El Setat Ma Yerafush Yekdebu الستات مايعرفوش يكدبوا |
| 1954 | A Night of my Life | Lilah Men Omri ليله من عمرى |
| 1955 | Melody Of Loyality | Lahn El Wafa لحن الوفاء |
| 1955 | The Shore of Memories | Shati El Zekrayat شاطئ الذكريات |
| 1956 | The Leech | Shabab Emraah شباب امرأة |
| 1956 | Farewell at Dawn | Wada Fi El Fagr وداع فى الفجر |
| 1956 | Spring Of Love | Rabi El Hobb ربيع الحب |
| 1956 | Wakeful Eyes | Oyun Sahranah عيون سهرانه |
| 1956 | Dalila | Dalilah دليله |
| 1956 | Farewell Your Love | Wadat Hobbak ودعت حبك |
| 1957 | Lawahez | Lawahez لواحظ |
| 1957 | You Are My Lover | Enta Habibi انت حبيبى |
| 1958 | Fiery Love | Hobb men Nar حب من نار |
| 1958 | Fault of My Lover | Ghaltet Habibi غلطة حبيبى |
| 1958 | The Escaper | El Harebah الهاربه |
| 1958 | Hearts Of Virgins | Qolub El 'Azara قلوب العذارى |
| 1959 | Pity My Heart | Erham Qalbi إرحم قلبى |
| 1959 | Nest Of Love | Esh al Gharam عش الغرام |
| 1959 | The Unknown Woman | El Marah El Maghulah المرأه المجهوله |
| 1960 | Agony of Love | Lawat El Hobb لوعة الحب |
| 1960 | Together Forever | Ma'an Ela Al Abad معاً إلى الأبد |
| 1961 | Don't Remember Me | La Tazkorini لا تذكرينى |
| 1961 | The Schoolgirl | Al Telmizah التلميذه |
| 1962 | Wife Number 13 | El Zugah Raqam 13 الزوجة رقم 13 |
| 1962 | Forget The World | Ensa El Donya إنسا الدنيا |
| 1962 | A Woman in Whirlpool | Emraah Fi Dawwamah امرأه فى دوامه |
| 1962 | Chased by the Dogs | El Less W El Kelab اللص و الكلاب |
| 1962 | The Miracle | Al Mo'gezah المعجزه |
| 1963 | On the Banks of the Nile | Ala Defaf El Nil على ضفاف النيل |
| 1963 | Cairo at Night | Al Qahera Fi El Lil القاهره فى الليل |
| 1963 | El Madaqq | Zoqaq al Madaq زقاق المدق |
| 1963 | Extreme Joy | Montaha el Farah منتها الفرح |
| 1964 | Thousand And One Nights | Alf Lilah E Lilah ألف ليله و ليله |
| 1964 | The Road | El Tariq الطريق |
| 1965 | Dearer Than My Life | Aghla Min Hayati أغلا من حياتى |
| 1966 | My Wife, the Director General | Merati Modir Am مراتى مدير عام |
| 1967 | Idol Of Public Masses | Mabudet El Gamahir معبودة الجماهير |
| 1967 | My Wife's Dignity | Karamet Zawgati كرامة زوجتى |
| 1968 | My Wife's Goblin | Afrit Merati عفريت مراتى |
| 1969 | A Taste of Fear | Shi Men El Khuf شيء من الخوف |
| 1969 | Half An Hour Marriage | Nos Saah Gawaz نص ساعه جواز' |
| 1969 | Miramar | Miramar ميرامار |
| 1970 | Tailor Of Ladies | Khayyat El Sayyidat خياط للسيدات |
| 1970 | We Don't Plant Thorn | Nahno La Nazra El Shuk نحن لا نزرع الشوك |
| 1971 | Touch Of Tenderness | Lamset Hanan لمسة حنان |
| 1972 | Lights Of City | Adwa El Madinah أضواء المدينه |
| 1973 | Double Face | Zat El Waghin ذات الوجهين |
| 1974 | Lover Woman | Emraah Asheqah امرأه عاشقه |
| 1974 | The Fugitive | El Hareb الهارب |
| 1974 | Forbidden Memories | Raghabat Mamnuah رغبات ممنوعه |
| 1976 | Waves Without Shore | Amwag Bela Shati امواج بلا شاطئ |
| 1979 | Doubt O My Lover | El Shakk Ya Habibi الشك يا حبيبى |
| 1981 | Valley Of Memories | Wadi El Zekrayat وادى الذكريات |
| 1984 | Don't Ask Me Who I am | La Tasalni Mann Ana لا تسألنى من انا |