Nagwa Fouad

• Name: Nagwa Fouad
• Profession: Egyptian Oriental dancer (belly dancer) and actress
• Date of Birth: 6 January 1943
• Place of Birth: Alexandria, Egypt
• Years Active: Early 1960s through the first decade of the 2000s

Early Life

• Born in Alexandria in 1943, she grew up in Egypt and later moved to Cairo, where she launched her artistic career.

Education and Early Career

• She began professionally in Cairo, working in revue-style shows and Oriental dance (often known internationally as belly dance). She rose quickly to prominence, becoming one of the most recognizable names on the scene.

Career

• Fouad emerged as one of Egypt’s most celebrated Oriental dancers throughout the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. She later transitioned into cinema, taking on roles that ranged from leads to strong supporting parts, often featuring filmed dance numbers within the films.
• On stage, she was known for presenting extended, choreographed dance tableaux—large-scale show pieces with a distinct theatrical flair. She paid meticulous attention to costumes, accessories, and movement direction, shaping her performances into self-contained theatrical miniatures.
• With a substantial body of work in both film and television, she maintained wide popular appeal for many years and is regarded as an enduring icon of Oriental dance in Egypt.