Five years have passed since the departure of the great artist Dalal Abdel Aziz, yet her presence remains alive in public memory—through work that brought both laughter and tears, and through her extraordinary love story with the late artist Samir Ghanem, which grew into one of the most iconic human narratives in the entertainment industry.
اضافة اعلان
Fate played a decisive role in many milestones of Dalal Abdel Aziz's life. She could never have imagined that coincidence would define key moments, starting from her journey as an admiring fan to becoming his lifelong partner, and ultimately leading to her passing.
The love story of Dalal Abdel Aziz and Samir Ghanem began by chance along the Alexandria Corniche during a summer vacation, when she spotted him among the passersby and rushed to greet him alongside a crowd of fans—unaware that this brief encounter would mark the beginning of a story that would echo for decades.
Nearly 15 years later, fate brought them together again during preparations for the play Ahlan Ya Doktor (Welcome Doctor). Dalal joined the cast, transforming from a fan into a colleague sharing the stage with him, where their real-life love story officially began.
For four years, Dalal sought to convince Samir Ghanem to marry her, while he hesitated due to their age difference. She purposefully arranged for him to accompany her home after theater performances so they could spend more time together, until he eventually fell in love with her.
Farid Shawqy: The Key Intermediary
During the filming of Ya Rab Walad (Oh Lord, A Boy!) in 1984, the veteran actor Farid Shawqy played a pivotal role in bridging their viewpoints, encouraging Samir Ghanem to take the step toward marriage. They officially tied the knot that same year, forming one of the most successful artistic and personal couples in Egypt and raising their two daughters, Donia and Amy.
Dalal Abdel Aziz revealed in numerous interviews a romantic side of their life together, noting that Samir Ghanem was always keen on buying jasmine flowers (Ful) for her whenever he encountered a street vendor. However, she often recounted the most famous anecdote after their marriage: when a vendor offered to sell him flowers, Samir jokingly replied, "That's it, we're already married!" She also recalled him laughingly telling her, "If I knew I was going to marry you, I would have drowned you in the sea"—a line that became one of the most beloved moments remembered by fans after his passing.
An Unimaginable End
In 2021, Dalal Abdel Aziz contracted COVID-19 while busy filming her projects. Her health deteriorated due to complications and pulmonary fibrosis, while her family carefully kept the news of her husband Samir Ghanem's death—who had passed away three months prior—from her, fearing the emotional shock would worsen her condition.
Among the poignant ironies of her career, the final scene she filmed was in the series Melook El Gada'ana (Kings of Chivalry), where she played the character "Ateya." Her role concluded with her character's death—a scene that took on a profound emotional resonance for audiences following her passing.
Strangely, she had initially hesitated to participate in the series for fear of contracting COVID-19. Yet fate willed that she contracted the virus shortly after filming concluded, ending her journey and leaving behind a vast artistic legacy and an enduring memory in the hearts of her admirers.
Born in Sharqia Governorate in 1960, Dalal Abdel Aziz prioritized education alongside her passion for the arts, earning four university degrees in various disciplines before beginning her artistic career in 1977. The stage served as her true springboard toward stardom.
Over more than 40 years, she delivered over 200 artistic works across theater, cinema, and television drama. She proved her talent in both comedy and drama, while excelling in her later years as one of the most prominent actresses to portray the quintessential Egyptian mother with authenticity and spontaneity.
Her notable film appearances include Ya Rab Walad, El Nom Fi El Asal (Sleeping in Honey), Asf Ala El Eza'aj (Sorry for the Inconvenience), and El Badla (The Suit). Her final cinematic appearance, Tasleem Ahali (Handover), was released posthumously.
On television, she left a distinct mark through major successes, including Layali El Helmeya (El Helmeya Nights), Hadith El Sabah wa El Masaa (Morning and Evening Talk), Arabesque, Sabe' Gar (Seventh Neighbor), and Melook El Gada'ana, among other works that cemented her position as one of Egyptian drama's essential figures.
