Artists who lost their children: Heartbreaking stories from Fairouz to George Wassouf
Behind the glare of fame and the spotlight, many celebrities experience profound human trials that blur the lines between celebrity and ordinary person. Perhaps the most devastating of these trials is the loss of their children, a tragedy that leaves indelible scars on their souls and alters their perspective on life and art. Neither fame nor wealth could prevent death from snatching away the children of these stars, transforming them from icons of joy into symbols of resilience in the face of adversity.
Fairouz... neighbor of the moon and sorrow
Fairouz, the icon of Lebanese and Arab song, is a paragon of resilience in the face of personal adversity. Beyond her artistic glory, the "Neighbor of the Moon" has tasted the bitterness of loss more than once. The first tragedy was the passing of her daughter, Layal, in the prime of her youth in 1988 following a sudden stroke, an event that left a profound mark on Fairouz's soul. The sorrows did not end there. In recent years, she bid farewell to her son, Heli Rahbani (in 2021), who lived his life with special needs. Fairouz dedicated her life to his care, refusing to place him in a care facility, thus setting an example of a devoted mother until his very last breath.
George Wassouf... Abu Wadih's tear
At the beginning of 2023, the Arab artistic community was shocked by the news of the death of Wadih, the eldest son of the legendary singer George Wassouf. His passing came as a shock following complications from gastric sleeve surgery, which caused severe bleeding that led to his death. Wadih was a pillar of support for his father, who was affectionately known as "Abu Wadih" (Father of Wadih). Wassouf appeared heartbroken at the funeral, uttering words that moved millions to tears, reflecting how even a great artist could succumb to the power of death.
Hani Shaker... The wound of the Prince of Song
Former head of the Egyptian Musicians Syndicate, artist Hani Shaker, experienced a bitter tragedy in 2011 with the death of his only daughter, Dina. Dina battled a fierce struggle with cancer, and her father traveled with her to major European capitals seeking treatment, but fate intervened. She passed away, leaving behind her twin children, Magdi and Malika, in the care of their grandfather, who still remembers her with tears in his television interviews, emphasizing that art could not heal this profound wound.
Ayman Zeidan... The mountain of drama that crumbled
The esteemed Syrian actor Ayman Zeidan was not spared from fate's cruel blows, as he lost his youngest son, Nawar, in 2011. Nawar was a promising young man of nineteen, taking his first steps in the world of directing and presenting, before he was struck by a rare form of soft tissue cancer. Zeidan later wrote poignant literary texts mourning his son, describing his passing as "a wound that will never heal," which cast a lasting shadow of sadness over Zeidan's subsequent appearances and roles.
Talal Salama and John Travolta... a sudden departure
The reasons are many, but death is one. Saudi artist Talal Salama experienced a true tragedy with the death of his young son, Ahmed, in 2018, after suffering in intensive care following a painful car accident. This led to Salama's absence from the art scene for an extended period. On a global scale, American star John Travolta nearly retired from acting altogether after the death of his son, Jett (16 years old), in 2009, following a seizure during a family vacation in the Bahamas. Travolta has repeatedly stated that the support of his colleagues and family was the sole reason for his return to his professional life after years of seclusion.
