Egyptian actress Somaya al-Alfi died at the age of 72

CAIRO,— Egyptian actress Somaya al-Alfi died on Saturday morning at the age of 72 at a hospital in Cairo after a long illness, according to Egyptian media reports.

Al-Alfi was born on July 23, 1953, in Sharqia Governorate. She later moved to Cairo, where she completed her secondary education before enrolling in the Faculty of Arts, Department of Sociology.

Her academic background preceded her entry into the performing arts, which began during her years at university.

In previous television interviews, al-Alfi spoke about her early life and family background. She said her father was strict and closely monitored her activities. Despite this, she became involved in acting through university theater productions, which later opened the door to professional opportunities.

According to her statements on the television program al-Sira, hosted by Egyptian media figure Wafaa al-Kilany, al-Alfi participated in several stage performances while studying.

During one performance of a university play titled Love of Egypt, she was seen by the late writer Lenin al-Ramly and his wife, Fatima al-Maadoul. Following the performance, al-Maadoul offered al-Alfi a role in the play Cinderella at the Child Culture Center.

While working on that production, al-Alfi met actor Farouk al-Fishawy, who was also part of the cast. Their professional collaboration developed into a personal relationship that later resulted in marriage.

al-Alfi’s television career began after her work in theater. She gained wider recognition through her participation in the television series Rihlat al-Milyon, in which she starred alongside Egyptian actor Mohamed Sobhi.

She portrayed the character Nesma, a role that became one of her early television highlights.

Following news of her death, Sobhi issued a statement mourning her passing. He recalled their collaboration in Rihlat al-Milyon and in the film Ali Bey Mazhar and 40 Thieves, and offered condolences to her family, according to local media.

Egyptian actress Somaya al-Alfi, 2020s. Photo: Alfi’s FB

Throughout her personal life, al-Alfi was married four times. Her most notable marriage was to actor Farouk al-Fishawy.

Her other marriages were to composer Mody al-Imam, director Gamal Abdel Hamid, and singer Medhat Saleh.

Her marriage to al-Fishawy produced two sons, actor Ahmed al-Fishawy and his brother Omar. The marriage lasted 16 years before ending in divorce.

In multiple interviews, al-Alfi described the separation as a difficult decision, noting that the couple divorced three times before the marriage fully ended.

In a television interview with media personality Omar al-Leithy, al-Alfi said that betrayal was among the reasons for the divorce.

She explained that she distinguished between physical infidelity and emotional involvement, stating that emotional betrayal was more difficult for her to accept.

In a separate interview aired in 2022, al-Alfi said she had not fully adjusted to the decision to divorce, even years later.

Al-Alfi appeared in numerous television dramas that became widely known to Egyptian audiences.

Her most prominent roles included appearances in Layali al-Helmiya as Princess Nourhan, al-Rayah al-Bayda, Bawabat al-Halawani, al-Attar wa al-Sab‘ Banat, al-Qaridati, Fuqara’ Lakinna Sa‘ada’, al-Tufan, al-Aqdar, Qitar Muntasaf al-Layl, Mirath al-Rih, La Anam, Shati’ al-Kharif, and Sanawat al-Ghorba.

In cinema, she appeared in the film Ali Bey Mazhar and 40 Thieves alongside Mohamed Sobhi.

Her final public appearance was at the filming location of the movie Safah al-Tagamo‘, where she attended to watch her son Ahmed al-Fishawy during production, according to Egyptian media.

The Actors’ Syndicate announced her death in a statement issued Saturday. The syndicate, led by Ashraf Zaki, extended condolences to al-Alfi’s family and acknowledged her contributions to Egyptian drama and theater.

(With files from BBC | Agencies)