Laila Mourad

Laila Mourad (1918–1995)

🎤 Egyptian singer and actress, considered one of the most prominent Arab artists of the 20th century. She was born into an Egyptian Jewish family and later converted to Islam. She starred in numerous films and performed songs that remain timeless in Arab musical history.

📌 Personal Information:

Full Name: Lilian Zaki Ibrahim Mourad Mordechai

Date of Birth: February 17, 1918

Place of Birth: Cairo, Egypt

Date of Death: November 21, 1995 (aged 77)

Place of Death: Cairo, Egypt

Burial Place: Cairo

Nationality: Egyptian 🇪🇬

Religion: Islam ☪️ (converted from Judaism)

Father: Zaki Mourad (Singer & Composer)

Mother: Gamila Ibrahim Rosho

Siblings:

Monir Mourad 🎼 (Singer & Composer)

Samiha Mourad

💍 Marriage & Personal Life:

1️⃣ Anwar Wagdi (1947–1954) 🧑‍🎬

2️⃣ Wagih Abaza (Secret marriage; she had a son, Ashraf)

3️⃣ Fatin Abdel Wahab (Had a son, Zaki Fatin Abdel Wahab)

🎭 Artistic Career:

Began singing at the age of 14, trained by her father, Zaki Mourad, and composer Dawood Hosni.

First appeared as a singer in the film Al-Dahaya (1935).

Made her cinematic debut in 1937 with musician Mohamed Abdel Wahab in Yahya El Hob.

Starred in 27 films, with Ghazal Al Banat alongside Naguib Al Rihani being one of the most famous.

Retired from the entertainment industry in 1955 after her last film, Al-Habib Al-Majhoul.

Sang over 1,200 songs composed by legendary musicians such as 🎼 Mohamed Abdel Wahab, Riad Al-Sunbati, Mohamed Fawzi, Zakaria Ahmed, Al-Qasabgi, and Monir Mourad.

🎶 Most Famous Songs:

Ana Albi Dalili

El Hob Gameel

Ya A'az Men Aini

Betbosli Keda Leh

Leh Khaletni Ahebak

🎬 Notable Films:

📽️ Yahya El Hob (1937) – with Mohamed Abdel Wahab

📽️ Ghazal Al Banat (1949) – with Naguib Al Rihani

📽️ Shati' Al Gharam (1950) – one of her most famous films

📽️ Bent Al Akaber (1953)

📽️ Al-Habib Al-Majhoul (1955) – her last film

🏆 Recognition & Legacy:

Honored at the Cairo International Film Festival in 1998.

A TV series about her life, Ana Albi Dalili (2009), starred Safa Sultan.

Her character was portrayed in shows like El Cinderella (2006) and El Shahroura (2012).

The filmmakers of Fi Shaqet Masr El Gedida (2007) paid tribute to her.

🔚 Laila Mourad passed away on November 21, 1995, but she left behind a timeless artistic legacy, and her songs and films continue to entertain generations to this day.