Abdel Halim Hafez

Abdel Halim Hafez was born on June 21, 1929, in the village of Al-Hilwat in the province of Al-Sharkia, the fourth child of Sheikh Ali Ismael Shabana following after Ismael, Aliah, and Mohamed. His mother died during his delivery. His father was to die five years later. His work included 16 feature films, his first being Song of Truth (1955) and the last being Abi foq al-Shagara (1969). He also starred in the first Egyptian color CinemaScope picture Dalila (1956). He left a legacy of over 260 songs. Towards the end of his career, he entered into contracts for five films but was unable to realize any of them due to his failing health. Abdel Halim Hafez died at the age of 48, on March 30, 1977, having dedicated half his life to the singing of songs that were to remain in the hearts of his people forever. He was one of the most famous performing artists of his era. He sang with manifest true feelings.