• Somaya Al-Alfi dies at 72 after battle with illness
• Began her artistic career in 1978

The Egyptian actress Somaya Al-Alfi passed away on Saturday at the age of 72 following a long struggle with illness.

Local media reported that Al-Alfi was diagnosed with a rare cancerous tumor in 2017 and underwent more than seven surgical operations during her treatment.

In 2023, she announced a full recovery, before the illness returned later.

Her funeral is scheduled for later today, according to local sources.

Al-Alfi was born in 1953 in Sharqia Governorate and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology before launching her artistic career in 1978 with the TV series Afwah wa Aranib.