Egyptian Singer-Actress Laila Murad Dies

Laila Murad, one of Egypt’s best-loved singers and actresses who was known in her heyday as “the Cinderella of Arab cinema,” has died. She was 77.

Murad died late Tuesday of heart failure, news reports said Wednesday. She had been admitted to the intensive care unit of a Cairo hospital a day earlier.

Although Murad retired some 40 years ago, her films remain favorites on Egyptian television.

Her dark eyes, generous smile and enchanting voice captured the heart of Egyptians during a career that extended from the 1930s to the early 1950s.

She is best remembered for romantic comedies in which she portrayed the spunky but sweet girl-next-door, whether the daughter of a rich “pasha” or humble government employee.

Murad was born to a Jewish family in February 1918, but later converted to Islam. She began her singing career at the age of 12 in the popular Ramsis Theater in Cairo.