Soheir Zaki


Soheir Zaki is an Egyptian belly dancer and actress. She appeared in over 100 Egyptian films from the 1960s to the 1980s.

Early life

Soheir Zaki was born in Mansoura, Egypt on 4 January, 1945 but her origins are from Upper Egypt. When she was nine, her parents moved the family to Alexandria. Her father died when she was young and her mother remarried. Her stepfather later became her manager. Zaki first learned how to dance by watching films featuring Taheyya Kariokka and Samia Gamal.

Career

She began her career as a wedding dancer in Alexandria. Television producer Mohammed Salem saw her dancing and decided to launch her as a TV presenter on Egyptian television. However, she showed more skill as a dancer and became known for her appearances on shows like Adwoua El-Madina. She then moved to appearing in Egyptian films. She played minor roles in most of her films, concentrating mainly on dancing. In interviews, she has stated that Nagua Fouad was her "biggest rival" at the time.
Zaki also performed frequently in Egyptian nightclubs, particularly at the Nile Hilton Hotel in Cairo. In 1964, she became to first belly dancer to dance to Umm Kulthum's music when she danced to "Inta Omri".
Over the course of her career, Zaki danced for many politicians, including Anwar Sadat, Gamal Abdel Nasser and Richard Nixon. She retired in 1992, although she later taught belly dance at Raqia Hassan's Egyptian Academy of Oriental Dance in Cairo.

Personal life

She was married to Egyptian cinematographer Mohamed Emara. She gave birth to their son Hamada in 1987.

Partial filmography

  • 1963 Thaman al Hob
  • 1963 Aelit Zizi'
  • 1963 Sanawat El Hobb’
  • 1964 Hekayet Gawaz
  • 1964 Daani wal demouh
  • 1964 Matloub Zawja Fawran
  • 1966 Cairo 30
  • 1966 Al Abeed
  • 1969 Al-shaitan
  • 1969 Al-Rajul Zu Al-Khamsat Wujooh – TV miniseries
  • 1970 Seraa Maa el Mawt
  • 1970 El Maganeen el Talata
  • 1971 Rejal fil al Misyada
  • 1972 Melouk al Shar
  • 1975 Alo, ana al ghetta
  • 1978 Sultana al Tarab
  • 1978 ‘Al Kallema Al Akhira
  • 1979 Yomhel wala Yohmel
  • 1982 Aroussa Wa Gouz Ersan
  • 1983 Enna Rabbaka Labelmersad
  • 1983 ''Al Rajel Elle Ba'aa al Shams''