Often known as the "Cinderella of Egyptian Cinema", Soad Hosny has been honoured with a Google Doodle on what would have been her 79th birthday. Hosny was one of the most beloved stars of her generation.
Born in Cairo on January 26, 1943, Hosny's five-decade career started at an early age, when she began singing for children's radio programmes at the age of 3. She made her film debut in 1959's Hasan wa Naimah, based on Romeo and Juliet, and would go on to star in a number of romantic films, including her most memorable one, Khally ballak men ZouZou in 1974, in which she played a college student who falls in love with her teacher, alongside Hussein Fahmy.
Hosny also took on hard-hitting roles in political films such as 1975's Karnak, an adaptation of the book Karnak Cafe by Nobel Prize winner Naguib Mahfouz which looks at state violence in the 1960s. She appeared in numerous films with some of Egyptian cinema's leading lights including Omar Sharif, Salah Zulfikar and Rushdi Abazah. In all, Hosny appeared in 83 films, with many making it to the list of Cairo International Film Festival's Top 100 Egyptian Films in the 20th Century.
Known for her beauty and striking personality, Hosny was linked to a number of stars during her career, including with actor and singer Abdel Halim Hafez. She was married four times, including a short marriage with Zaky Fateen Abdel Wahab, son of director Fateen Abdel Wahab and actress Laila Mourad, which lasted five months.
An unspecified illness put a stop to Hosny's career in the 1990s, with her final film appearance in 1991's Al-raii wa al nesaa (The Shepherd and the Women), directed by her ex-husband Ali Badr Khan.
Her death on June 21, 2001 at the age of 58, after falling from the balcony of a London apartment, shocked her fans, with many believing that Hosny may have committed suicide.
Speaking to Egypt Today in 2019 to mark the anniversary of her death, director and actor Hasan Youssef, who made 15 films with Hosny, said her talent was almost unlimited.
"Soad was incredibly talented; she had the ability to perfectly play any role whether it is comedic or tragic. She had charisma and charm. Yet, she was unappreciated and died alone," Youssef said.
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
The Gentlemen
Director: Guy Ritchie
Stars: Colin Farrell, Hugh Grant
Three out of five stars
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Director: Shady Ali
Cast: Boumi Fouad , Mohamed Tharout and Hisham Ismael
Rating: 3/5
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The candidates
Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive
Ali Azeem, business leader
Tony Booth, professor of education
Lord Browne, former BP chief executive
Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist
Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist
Dr Mark Mann, scientist
Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner
Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister
Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster
Where to submit a sample
Volunteers of all ages can submit DNA samples at centres across Abu Dhabi, including: Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (Adnec), Biogenix Labs in Masdar City, NMC Royal Hospital in Khalifa City, NMC Royal Medical Centre, Abu Dhabi, NMC Royal Women's Hospital, Bareen International Hospital, Al Towayya in Al Ain, NMC Specialty Hospital, Al Ain
One in nine do not have enough to eat
Created in 1961, the World Food Programme is pledged to fight hunger worldwide as well as providing emergency food assistance in a crisis.
One of the organisation’s goals is the Zero Hunger Pledge, adopted by the international community in 2015 as one of the 17 Sustainable Goals for Sustainable Development, to end world hunger by 2030.
The WFP, a branch of the United Nations, is funded by voluntary donations from governments, businesses and private donations.
Almost two thirds of its operations currently take place in conflict zones, where it is calculated that people are more than three times likely to suffer from malnutrition than in peaceful countries.
It is currently estimated that one in nine people globally do not have enough to eat.
On any one day, the WFP estimates that it has 5,000 lorries, 20 ships and 70 aircraft on the move.
Outside emergencies, the WFP provides school meals to up to 25 million children in 63 countries, while working with communities to improve nutrition. Where possible, it buys supplies from developing countries to cut down transport cost and boost local economies.
