Famous for her golden hair and garish outfits, Sabah is one of the Lebanese music icons. Also known as “Shahroura,” the Diva of the Middle East performed in over 100 films and plays.
Sabah also sang more than 3,000 songs, released over 50 albums, and acted in 98 films during her career. She made Lebanese folk music famous in the Middle East and the West.
Her vivid presence on stage let her perform in Carnegie Hall, the Olympia in Paris, London’s Piccadilly Theatre, and the Sydney Opera House in Australia.
Sabah: the beginning
Sabah, née Jeanette Georges Feghali, was born in November 1927 in Bdadoun, Mount Lebanon. She released her first song when she was 15 years old. The Egyptian movie producer Asia Dagher discovered the young talent and signed her for three films.
The movie El Qalb Louh Wahid boosted her career. She became known by her character’s name “Sabah.” People also call her “Sabbouha” and “Shahroura.” She co-starred with many icons of that era including Abdel Halim Hafez and Kamal El Shenawy.
Sabah spread joy in all her performances. She is famous for her joie de vivre and her bright outfits.
Sabah’s personal life
She got married seven times. However, Sabah never found love. The star told in an interview that her ex-husbands called her Mrs. Bank. They married her for her fortune and fame.
She had two children: Sabah Chammas and Howayda Mansy.
When she left us
Sabah financially struggled before she died. She sold her house in the early 2000s and moved into a hotel in Baabda.
Although Sabah suffered from many diseases, she remained a star at heart. She performed in concerts and on television.
Rumors about her death circulated years before she passed away. The star left us on November 26, 2014, at 87 years old. Her final wish was that people would dance the dabke at her funeral.
Her fans said their final farewell at Saint George Cathedral in Downtown Beirut. People were dancing and singing Sabah’s songs. They were celebrating the star’s legacy.
