Salwa Said

Salwa Said

Syrian Actress

Date of Birth: December 8, 1935

Date of Death: July 9, 2000 (aged 64)

Nationality: Syrian

Spouse: Talhat Hamdi

Birth and Early Life

Salwa Said was born in the city of Qamishli, Syria, on Sunday, 12th of Ramadan 1354 AH, corresponding to December 8, 1935. It is said that she is of Kurdish Muslim origin, while others claim she is of Arab Christian descent from Qamishli. Her father’s name was Said Sawy. She desired to study acting, so she moved to Egypt and studied at the Higher Institute of Dramatic Arts in Cairo but was unable to complete her studies. However, she benefited from the relationships she built with directors, actors, and critics, which helped her in her career.

Her Artistic Career

Salwa Said mastered the Egyptian dialect, which helped her achieve notable success in the 1960s in Egypt. She started her acting career by participating in films such as:

The People Below (1960)

My Wife's Husband (1961)

The Three Rascals (1962)

The Family of Zizi (1962)

Wanted Widow (1965)

Eternal Love (1965)

After the 1967 setback (Six-Day War), she decided to return to Syria, where she lived in Damascus and married Syrian actor Talhat Hamdi. They later separated. In Syria, she participated in TV series such as:

Revenge of Zuba (1974)

Wadha and Ibn Ajlan (1975)

She also ventured into production and produced several works, including:

Hearts Burning

The Last Page

Layla and the Buraq

Her Works

Films

1960: The People Below

1962: The Three Rascals

1963: The Family of Zizi

1965: Wanted Widow

1971: Antar Conquers the Desert

1975: The Beauty and the Conqueror of Space

1977: Forbidden Love

1980: Al-‘Anater Alley

1984: Please Enter, No Entry

TV Series

1969: Memoirs of a Thief

1974: Revenge of Zuba

1974: The Wolf's Howl (as Khadija)

1984: The Groom of Happiness

1977: Mutaab Al-Shakwai (as Jawaher Bint Al-Humaidi)

1985: Brother of Saada (as Saada)

1996: The Night's Trials (as Fada)

1998: Family Memoirs

1998: Ayoub the Sea

2000: This is My Decision (her last work)

Her Death

Salwa Said passed away on Sunday, 7th of Rabi' al-Akhir 1421 AH, corresponding to July 9, 2000, at the age of 64.