Beloved Egyptian actress Rajaa El Geddawy has passed away after battling coronavirus.
The star, whose career spanned over six decades, contracted COVID-19 in May, and died over the weekend on July 5 aged 81.
Nicknamed the “princess of art”, the actress starred in nearly 300 pieces of work throughout her 60-year career, having wrapped up her latest TV series just after she tested positive for COVID-19 in May.
Tributes flowed in for the late actress following the announcement of her death, including from Ines Abdel Dayem the Minister of Culture for Egypt who referred to El Geddawy as a “star of the beautiful time” in reference to her early career in the 1960s.
“She was an example of serious art,” the minister said. “With her refined sense, she has succeeded in creating a distinguished form of the roles that she played during her long career.”
Lebanese singer Haifa Wehbe also paid tribute to the star on Twitter, saying she would miss her “fine art and the beauty of your roles and acting”.
وداعاً الممثلة القديرة #رجاء_الجداوي سنشتاق لك، لفنّك الراقي ولجمال ادوارك وتمثيلك 💔
رحمها الله والهم ذويها الصبر والسلوان 🙏🏻
إِنَّا لِلَّٰهِ وَإِنَّا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ. pic.twitter.com/NVO6THqqLJ— Haifa Wehbe (@HaifaWehbe) July 5, 2020
Also on Twitter, the US Embassy in Cairo paid tribute to the legendary actress.
“The US Embassy in Cairo offers its deep condolences to the family of renowned Egyptian actress Ragaa El Gedaway on her passing, and to the millions of her fans in Egypt and around the world,” their statement said on social media.
The U.S. Embassy in Cairo offers its deep condolences to the family of renowned Egyptian actress Ragaa El Gedaway on her passing, and to the millions of her fans in Egypt and around the world. pic.twitter.com/hQ3XkEBD1Z
— U.S. Embassy Cairo (@USEmbassyCairo) July 5, 2020
The late star is survived by her daughter Amira Hassan Mokhtar.
