Arab stars pay tribute to late actress Dalal Abdel Aziz: 'An example in art and morals'

The legendary Egyptian actress died on Saturday, aged 61

Egyptian actress Dalal Abdel Aziz has died aged 61, following a four-month battle with Covid-19

Egyptian actors Dalal Abdel Aziz, Maya Shiha and Sharif Ramzi at the premiere of Magdi Ahmed Ali's 'Girls' Secrets' in March 2001

Nabila Obeid (left) and belly dancer Lucy (centre) congratulate Dalal Abdel Aziz, who won best actress award for her role in 'Asrar al-Banat', at the Egyptian Oscar Film Festival on March 8, 2002 in Cairo.

Egyptian actress Raghda (right) chats with actress Dalal Abdel Aziz (centre) during a party organised by Nile Drama satellite TV channel to honour Egyptian stars who took part in Ramadan TV programs in January 2001

Egyptian actresses Shahera (left), Ragaa el-Geddawy (centre) and Dalal Abdelaziz (right) attend the funeral of Egyptian film star Nur al-Sharif on August 12, 2015

Adel Imam, Tarek Al Ebyary and Dalal Abdel Aziz in a scene from 'Valentino'

Dalal Abdel Aziz stars in the Ramadan comedy 'Valentino' with Egyptian actor Adel Imam

Stars of Arab cinema, television and music have paid their respects to the late Dalal Abdel Aziz, after the Egyptian actress died on Saturday, aged 61, from complications related to Covid-19.

Her death was announced on Facebook by her son-in-law, TV journalist Ramy Radwan.

Tunisian actress Hend Sabri led the tributes, describing Abdel Aziz as possessing a skill and sense of mission all her own.

"Today, we lost an artist and a person of unique style who was not only a capable star but a duty bearer, as they say," Sabry wrote on Twitter on Saturday.

Producer Sadek Sabbah recalled working with Abdel Aziz in one of her final projects, this year’s Ramadan television series Meluk El Gadaana.

"You left with an unforgettable impression with your kindness, humanity, sweet spirit, professionalism and appreciation for all,” he said. “You are an example in art and morals."

Lebanese pop star Elissa said she took solace in Abdel Aziz reuniting with her late husband, the Egyptian actor Samir Ghanem, who also died from Covid-19 complications in May.

"This is very unjust and difficult," she said. "The consolation is that when Dalal Abdel Aziz came back, she met with the love of her life again."

Emirati singer Hussain Al Jassmi poignantly added: “Farewell to the love of the whole world."

Abdel Aziz contracted Covid-19 four months ago along with her late husband, one of Egypt’s most celebrated comedians.

“She could not let herself abandon her beloved, and she decided to follow him to heaven,” read Radwan’s social media announcement of her death, referring to the famously loving marriage the actress had with her late husband.

Radwan is married to the couple’s eldest daughter Donia Samir Ghanem, a popular actress and singer in her own right.

News of Abdel Aziz’s death was also confirmed by her other son-in-law, actor Hassan El Raddad, who called her “the kindest person he had ever met” as he lamented her passing on social media.

The actress’s death became the No 1 trending topic on Twitter in Egypt on Saturday, with many of her fans offering condolences to her family.

Born in 1960, the actress had a long and successful acting career.

Beginning in the late 1970s and early 1980s, it didn’t take long for Abdel Aziz to rise to the top of Egyptian entertainment's A-list, cementing her place as a dramatic tour de force who brought an inimitable stamp to every role.

Speaking to The National in May 2020, Abdel Aziz said: "Comedy is one of the most difficult of the performance arts.

"It is a world of its own and there are so many different ways to do it. What makes it harder is that when it is done, to deliver a targeted social message."

She married Ghanem in 1984 and the pair became one of Egyptian cinema’s most beloved celebrity couples.

Amr Saad, a co-star of Abdel Aziz's on a recent TV show, revealed in a televised interview on Thursday the actress had not been informed by her family or medical team that her husband had died.

The late actress is survived by two daughters, Donia and Emmy, both successful actresses.