5 facts about Zahret El-Ola

CAIRO – 16 December 2017: December 18 marks the anniversary of Zahret El-Ola’s death (1934 – 2013); she was of one of the most beautiful actresses in the golden age of Egyptian cinema.

Originally born in Alexandria
Zahret El-Ola was born in Alexandria in 1934, and died in 2013. During her childhood, she moved with her family to Cairo because of her father’s work.

Inherited passion towards theater
Unlike most fathers, El-Ola’s father enhanced and encouraged her talents. He had an impressive passion for theater, and he supported his daughter to join High Theater Institute, from which she graduated in 1954.

Played a vital role in Egyptian theater history
Having acted with Egyptian theater icons such as Youssef Wahby and Zaki Tolaymat, She performed a number of amusing roles in the history of the Egyptian theater such as “Al Bakhel” (The Stingy Man) and “Fatish A’an Al Maraa” (Search for A Women).

Participated in more than 120 films
Due to her exceptional acting skills and her beauty, El-Ola was cast in a great number of films and 50 TV series.
She often shared the screen with Egyptian comedy leader Ismail Yassine, the two collaborated in films such as “Ismail Yassine Fi El-Ostol” (Ismail Yassine in the Navy). She was also renounced for her iconic roles in films such as “Doaa Al-Karawan” (Prayers of the Nightingale), “Gamila,” “Nahr Al-Hob” (Love River), and “Rod Qalby” (Back Again).
Her most celebrated TV shows are “Rehlet Al Sayed Abo el-Ela el-Beshry” (The Journey of Mr. Abo el-Ela el-Beshry), and “Aa’la Hamesh El-Sira” (The Prophet’s Life).

Married two times
El-Ola was married two times in her life; the first was to Egyptian actor Salah Zulfakar, and the second to Egyptian director Hassan el-Seify.
She is the famous Egyptian actor Ahmed Said Abdel Ghany’s aunt, and her daughter is the famous director Manal el-Seify.

Approved a biographical series about her life
Two years ago, Manal el-Seify announced that her mother had agreed to turn her life and career into a biographical series; she also selected the popular actress Ghada Adel to portray her in the series.