
CAIRO,— Egyptian singer Hany Shaker, widely known as the Prince of Arab Song, died Sunday in Paris at the age of 74 after a prolonged illness, his family said, cited by Egyptian television.
Shaker had traveled to the French capital several weeks ago seeking treatment after his health deteriorated sharply.
He died following complications from a long-standing colon condition that caused repeated bleeding.
He had been hospitalized in Paris after a severe hemorrhage and remained under close medical supervision in recent weeks, reports said.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi offered condolences on Facebook, praising Shaker’s “distinctive voice and refined performance.”
El Sisi told the public he extended his deepest condolences to the Egyptian people and lovers of true art on the passing of the artist, who had enriched the world of music through his creations on national, social, and humanitarian occasions.
Born Hany Abdel Aziz Shaker in Cairo on Dec. 21, 1952, he began studying piano at a young age under his mother’s guidance. He made his first on-screen appearance at 14, portraying a young Sayed Darwish in a biographical film.

His breakthrough came in 1972 while studying at the Cairo Conservatoire, when the song Heloua Ya Dounia, composed by Mohamed El Mougi, became a regional hit.
The track helped establish him as a leading voice in modern Arabic music. Composer Mohamed El Mougi is credited with discovering him that year.
Over a career spanning more than five decades, Shaker released more than 600 songs across 29 albums. His romantic ballads resonated widely across Egypt, the Levant, the Gulf, and North Africa from the 1980s through the 2000s.
Popular albums included Bahebak Ana, Ahla Al Layali, Garhy Ana, and Yaretny.
Among his best-known songs are Etmadet El Eidein, Asaheb Meen, Eih Yalli Bahebak, Di Hekaya, and Dehketek.
Separately, Egyptian belly dancer and actress Soheir Zaki died Saturday, May 2, 2026, at the age of 81 after a career spanning more than three decades that helped shape modern belly dancing and Egyptian cinema.
(With files from Agencies)
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