Sabah, superstar of Arab music, dies aged 87

One of the Arab world's most recognised singers passed away in Beirut on Wednesday morning at the age of 87. The cause of her death has not yet been announced.

Born Jeanette Gergi Feghal, Sabah was born in Bdadoun, Lebanon, in 1927, and moved to Cairo when her career began to take off. Cairo was known as the capital of Arab film, music and popular culture at the time, but Sabah never forgot her rural Lebanese roots.

Also known as Sabbouha and Shahroura ["the Blackbird"], Sabah had released more than 3,000 songs since her 1940 debut. Her reputation as a creative and influential performer was in part achieved with collaborations with some of the most famous Arab composers - including Riyad al-Sunbati and the Rahbani brothers. She also acted in more than 90 films and 27 plays.

Sabah became as famous for her personal life, garnering a reputation as a diva.

Her popularity was comparable to legendary female singers Umm Kulthum and Fairuz, and her appeal spread outside the Arab region - making her the first Arab singer to perform at some of the biggest venues in the world, including the Sydney Opera House.

Yet Sabah became as famous for her personal life, garnering a reputation as a diva, in part due to her multiple marriages. Her confidence and daring changed the way the Arab world perceived the role of women, yet she was also known as being delicate, vulnerable and modest.

Sabah held Lebanese, Egyptian, Jordanian and US citizenships, and continued to perform well into her 80s. Yana Yana, a duet with Lebanese singer Rola Saad was released in 2009, which won the aging performer the adoration of a new generation of fans.  

She married nine times and had two children, Dr Sabah Shammas and actress Howayda Mansy.