In the 1950's, Umm Kalthoum became friends with Gamal Abdel Nasser, and after the Egyptian coup of 1952, she produced a number of songs in support of the new republic. Although she had reached the status that heads of states enjoy and even served as the unofficial ambassador of the Egyptian government, Umm Kalthoum never forgot the humble beginnings from which she came. She continuosly assisted the poor monetarily. This it seems, endeared her even more to the masses. They saw her as one of them; singing their own hopes and pains.
At Umm Kalthoums passing in 1975, Egypt and the entire Arab world was in mourning. Her funeral was attended by 4 million people, and was the second largest funeral in Egyptian history after that of President Gamal Abdel Nasser. However, Umm Kalthoums presence in the Arab world and beyond has never faded. She continues to sell more albums than any other female Arab singer, and has secured her place in history as one of the most legendary singers of the Arab world.
For picutres of Umm Kalthoum see Umm Kulthum pictures
For access to her songs and lyrics, see Umm Kalthoum Songs
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Biographical information from:
Danielson, V. (1997). "The Voice of Egypt": Umm Kulthum, Arabic Song, and Egyptian Society in the Twentieth Century. University of Chicago Press.
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