Legendary Egyptian actress Samiha Ayoub dies at 93

Dubai: Celebrated Egyptian actress Samiha Ayoub passed away on Tuesday at the age of 93, leaving behind a remarkable legacy spanning more than seven decades across theatre, cinema, radio, and television.

Born in 1932 in Cairo’s Shubra neighbourhood, Ayoub began her artistic journey in 1947 with her debut in Al Motasharida (The Vagabond).

In 1949, she enrolled at the Higher Institute of Dramatic Arts, founded by renowned theatre pioneer Zaki Toleimat, and graduated in 1953. By then, she had already gained recognition for early film roles in Shati’ Al Gharam (1950) and Ward Al Gharam (1951).

Her breakthrough came via the popular radio dramas Samara and Rabaa El Adawya, launching a prolific career in the performing arts.

She later joined the Egyptian National Theatre, serving twice as its director — from 1975 to 1985, and again until 1989. Between 1972 and 1975, she also led the Modern Theatre, cementing her role as a key figure in Egypt’s theatrical leadership.

Revered as the “Lady of Arab Theatre”, Ayoub was acclaimed for her powerful performances on both stage and screen. Among her many iconic roles was her appearance in the acclaimed television miniseries El Miraya (1984), opposite Salah Zulfikar.

Over the course of her extraordinary career, she contributed to more than 450 artistic works, including 44 films, 220 television series, 115 radio dramas, and 170 stage productions—a record that marks the longest artistic journey in Arab film and theatre history.

In 2015, Ayoub received the Nile Award in the Arts, one of Egypt’s highest cultural honours. That same year, the main hall of the Egyptian National Theatre was named after her—an enduring testament to her profound impact on the cultural and artistic life of the Arab world.