Lebanese Singer Sabah dies at the age of 87

Lebanese singer, Sabah has died at the age of 87 due to unknown health complications at her home in Beirut.

Sabah whose real name is Jeanette Gergis al-Feghali, enjoyed a 6 decade long career got her start when she released her first song at the young age of 13. She was soon spotted by Eygpt film makers where she soon rose to prominence.

The actress was the first Arab singer to perform at Olympia in Paris, Carnegie Hall in New York, Piccadilly Theatre in London and the Sydney Opera House.

Among her most popular films were Soft Hands (1964), Ataba Square (1959) and The Second Man (1960), in which she played a cabaret singer who vows to avenge her brother's death at the hands of a smuggling ring. Her music career spanned more than 3,000 songs, working with a string of legendary Egyptian composers, including the late Mohammed Abdul-Wahhab.

She married nine times, most notably to Egyptian actor Roshdi Abaza and Lebanese author-director Wassim Tabbara.

Her last marriage, to Lebanese artist Fadi Lubnan, lasted 17 years. She had two children, Dr Sabah Shammas and actress Howayda Mansy, both of whom live in the United States.

- Sahla Ilham