Lebanese singer and actress Sabah, popularly known as the ‘Diva of Music’ in the Arab world, has died of an unspecified illness. She was 87.
Sabah, the first Arab singer to perform at Olympia in Paris, Carnegie Hall in New York, Piccadilly Theatre in London and the Sydney Opera House, has more than 50 albums to her credit and appeared in 98 movies as well as a number of stage plays.
Sabah retreated from public life in 2010 after reportedly losing control of her left hand and foot due to illness.
“Sad news today. The legendary singer Sabah died. With her passing away an entire beautiful past of Lebanon passes away,” Lebanese politician Walid Joumblatt tweeted on Wednesday morning. “She was a great singer of a Lebanon that my generation knew, that will never come back.”
Known popularly as ‘Shabbouha’, Sabah was loved as much for her music and her evolving looks. She told tabloid! in an interview in 2009 that she was still young at heart even in her 80s.
“I always wanted to deliver a message to Lebanese women telling them to stay elegant and fit,” she said. “I was one of the first artists to be known for their elegance. I wore all kinds of dresses and outfits. In one Egyptian movie, for example, I appeared in seventy different outfits. Every woman can look elegant even without spending a lot of money.”
In 2011, a TV drama series, Al Shahroura, based on Sabah’s life, was released with Lebanese singer Carole Samaha playing her.
“Sabah is a legend and her shoes are hard to fill,” Samaha told tabloid! before the series’ premiere. “However, after reading the script, I couldn’t put it down, and realised it would be terrible to turn down such an amazing role. I think this series is a great opportunity to introduce Sabah to younger generations, for them to learn about such a wonderful artist. I hope I make her proud.”
Tribute
Dubai International Film Festival (Diff) chairman Abdulhamid Juma paid tribute to Sabah at a press conference announcing the festival’s line-up on Wednesday. Sabah was given the festival’s Lifetime Achievement award in 2010.
"I don't know if you've heard the sad news that the artist we once honoured, Sabah, has passed away. We send our condolences to her family. The industry will miss her extraordinary talent."
Some of her greatest hits are here:
