Ma'ali Zayed

Ma'ali Zayed (معالي زايد; November 5, 1953 - November 10, 2014) was an Egyptian actress who appeared in over 30 films, as well as numerous theatrical productions and television series in Egypt.

She studied at the College of Art Education and then the Higher Institute of Cinema. Her first artistic appearance on television was in the movie “The Promised Night.” Zayed gained prominence for her roles in the series "Tears in Shameless Eyes" and "Heat Wave," as well as her part in the theatrical production "Extra Sugar." Her career in cinema commenced in 1987 with her debut film "Life is Wasted, My Son." Notably, she rose to fame for her performances in "The Egg and the Stone" and "Those Gentlemen," the latter being a groundbreaking Egyptian film that addressed the subject of gender-affirming surgery (female-to-male) in Arabic societies.

She died on November 10, 2014, following a long battle with the Lung cancer.

Early life and education
Zayed was born on November 5, 1953, on Champollion Street in central Cairo, into a family with a rich tradition in acting, writing scripts, and singing. Her mother, Amal Zayed, and her aunt, Gamalat Zayed, were both esteemed actresses. Zayed pursued her education at the College of Art Education and later attended the Higher Institute of Cinema, where she honed her skills in filmmaking. She graduated from the Faculty of Fine Arts with a focus on painting.

Early career
Born on November 5, 1953, Ma'ali Zayed began her acting career with supporting roles in various movies and television series. Notable among her early works are her roles in the movie "We Daa Al Omr Ya Waladi" (ضاع العمر يا ولدي) (1978) and the TV series "Eilet El Doughry" (عيلة الدوغري) (1980). However, it was her ability to make bold and instinctive choices that distinguished her from her peers. Zayed soon started carving out her own niche in the film industry, delivering remarkable performances in television series such as "Bein El Quassrein" (بين القصرين) (1987) and "Quasr El Shawk" (قصر الشوق) (1988), the latter being based on the works of renowned Egyptian author Naguib Mahfouz.

In 1987, she received the prestigious Best Actress Award from the Film Society for her exceptional performance in the movie "Those Gentlemen" (السادة الرجال), solidifying her status as a respected figure in Egyptian cinema.

Personal life
Beyond her acting career, Maali Zayed had a passion for drawing portraits and harbored a dream of holding her own art exhibition. During breaks between acting engagements, she devoted time to preparing her paintings.

She maintained a private farm along the Egypt-Alexandria desert road, where she sought solace and relaxation during breaks from her busy schedule. She was at one point married, but the relationship ended in divorce

Ma'ali Zayed was admired for her beauty and warm personality. She decorated her home with paintings and awards, and had a pet dog.