Singer. Called "The Rose of Algeria" but usually known simply as "Warda", she was perhaps the Arab world's leading vocalist over a 50 year career that saw her give countless concerts and sell millions of albums. Born Warda Muhammad al-Fatouki to Algerian and Lebanese parents in the Paris suburb of Puteaux, she began singing professionally at 11 and quickly became known for performing Algerian patriotic songs. Upon her 1962 marriage Warda's husband forbade her to sing, a decision that silenced her for 10 years and eventually led to dissolution of the union. Warda moved to Egypt, starred in a few movies including the 1972 "Voice of Love" and 1973's "My Tale With Time", married composer Bagligh Hanndi, and released multiple records every year. Her concerts at which she was always called upon for such signature pieces as "Harramt Ahebbak" ("It is Forbidden for Me to Love You") and "Balash Telafria" "No Need to Leave") were immensely popular and she was to keep up a busy schedule despite multiple medical problems including hepatic disease which required a liver transplant in 2001. Warda was a noted gourmet chef when not busy with music, lived out her days in Cairo, and died of longstanding heart disease. At her death much of her massive recorded legacy remained available.
Singer. Called "The Rose of Algeria" but usually known simply as "Warda", she was perhaps the Arab world's leading vocalist over a 50 year career that saw her give countless concerts and sell millions of albums. Born Warda Muhammad al-Fatouki to Algerian and Lebanese parents in the Paris suburb of Puteaux, she began singing professionally at 11 and quickly became known for performing Algerian patriotic songs. Upon her 1962 marriage Warda's husband forbade her to sing, a decision that silenced her for 10 years and eventually led to dissolution of the union. Warda moved to Egypt, starred in a few movies including the 1972 "Voice of Love" and 1973's "My Tale With Time", married composer Bagligh Hanndi, and released multiple records every year. Her concerts at which she was always called upon for such signature pieces as "Harramt Ahebbak" ("It is Forbidden for Me to Love You") and "Balash Telafria" "No Need to Leave") were immensely popular and she was to keep up a busy schedule despite multiple medical problems including hepatic disease which required a liver transplant in 2001. Warda was a noted gourmet chef when not busy with music, lived out her days in Cairo, and died of longstanding heart disease. At her death much of her massive recorded legacy remained available.
Bio by: Bob Hufford
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