The French-born singer and actress with the powerful voice first rose to fame with the pan-Arab song “Al Watan Al Akbar” in 1960. Warda became a household name throughout the Middle East in the late '70s with a series of smash hits with famous composer Baligh Hamdi. They collaborated on some of her biggest songs such as “Batwanes Beek” where her flair for dramatic delivery could shine. She was given a hero's burial upon her death in 2012.