Egyptian film icon Faten Hamama has died at the age of 83.

Faten Hamama was only a child when she made her screen debut. She went on to appear in almost 100 films.

The actress was the former wife of Egyptian actor Omar Sharif. They were married for nearly 20 years and appeared in many films together in the 1950s.

Faten Hamama died on January 17 after health problems, according to Egypt’s official news agency Mena.

Her son Tarek Sharif confirmed that the actress had passed away but did not give a cause of death.

Born in 1931, Faten Hamama was known as the “Lady of the Arabic Screen” and was a star of the golden age of Egyptian cinema.

Faten Hamama’s career was at its peak in the 1950s when she met fellow actor Omar Sharif.

Born a Christian, Omar Sharif converted to Islam to marry Faten Hamama and described her as the only love of his life, reports the AFP news agency.

After their marriage they went on to star in many films together, including the 1961 film River of Love which was based on the Russian classic Anna Karenina.

Omar Sharif and Faten Hamama divorced in 1974.

Faten Hamama also starred in romantic films with the Arab singer Abdel Halim Hafez.

She appeared in films advocating women’s rights and condemning social injustices, reported AFP.

Faten Hamama is survived by her son Tarek Sharif, her daughter Nadia Zulficar, and third husband Mohammad Abdel Wahab Mahmoud.

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