Riyadh – 
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The iconic Egyptian actress Ragaa El-Geddawy died on Sunday, at the age of 81out of complications from Covid-19.
Late last May, El-Geddawy diagnosed with COVID-19 and the situation, took a turn on June 2, when she fell unconscious. She was transferred, isolated and treated in isolation at an isolation hospital in Ismailia province, east of Cairo.
News on her death was confirmed on social media by her only daughter, Amira Mokhtar, after El-Geddawy died in the isolation hospital in Ismailia.
El-Geddawy was active working till last Ramadan that corresponded with last May and had completed filming for her latest TV series “Laabet El Nesyan” which aired during the month of Ramadan. She wrapped up production two days before she tested positive for the virus.
El-Geddawy started her art career as a model before taking on acting roles from the late 1950s, including her first role in the famous Dua Al Karawan with the renowned stars Faten Hamama and Ahmed Mazhar.
El-Geddawy carrier spans to six decades where she acted in more than 380 films, plays especially with the celebrated star Adel Imam and television shows alongside some of the biggest names in Egyptian cinema.
During her long career, El-Geddawy witnessed the golden era of the Egyptian cinema portraying various characters mainly representing the elegant unique Egyptian woman and from time to time the working class.
El-Geddawy was also the niece of renowned belly dancer and actor, Taheya Carioca. As a child she lived with her aunt Carioca after her parents separated. Carioca enrolled El-Geddawy in a boarding school where she learnt French and Italian.
Her first job in mid-1950s was a translator in an advertising agency in Cairo. In 1958 and with no intended plans, she participated and won the Miss Egypt beauty pageant that nominated her to a career on the silver screen.
Along side her outstanding roles in the cinema, TV shows and plays, she presented for over 15 years with the famous TV presenter Amr Adib in the Al Kahera Al Youm and El hekaya programs in a dedicated segment (Ask Ragaa) where she answered questions and solved problems on many topics from the audience.
“I’m in shock! It’s very sad to read that legendary Egyptain actress Ragaa Al-Giddawy has passed away after a brave battle against coronavirus. I met her few months ago, she was so full of life, cheerful and majestic – I cannot believe she’s gone…but, she will always live in my memory with her lovely spirit and beautiful laughs. May Allah bless her soul”.
El Geddawy, was married to footballer Hassan Mukhtar, who passed away in 2016, mourning him she said that she buried a piece of her heart with him.
