A look back at Khadija Assad's stellar career, as the actress takes final bow

Moroccan actress Khadija Asad passed away yesterday evening, Wednesday, after a long struggle with cancer at the age of 70.

Khadija Asad had left a private hospital in Casablanca on the eve of Wednesday towards her home, at the request of her family, after the deterioration of her health due to her battle with cancer and her body’s inability to respond to chemotherapy sessions.

Khadija Asad, famously known for her most iconic role of “Lalla Fatima,” is one of the most prominent Moroccan female actresses who have imprinted the Moroccan art scene with famous works that varied between series, presenting programs and cinematic films.

With her late husband Aziz Saadallah, she formed an artistic duo that remained firmly rooted in the mind of the Moroccan viewers.

Assad was born in Casablanca in the mid-50s. Passionate about theater, she joined the conservatory where she spent 4 years of studies, graduating as an actress.

This allowed the young and hopeful artist to enter the world of theater through its front door, accompanied by Aziz Saad-Allah, her former classmate at the Institute, where the love story that united them had begun.

The Moroccan public got to know the couple Khadija and Aziz through the plays, comedy series, and sitcoms they wrote and starred in.

They formed a team and took on various characters on the small screen, such as the “Caricature” series, before founding in the early 1980s their troupe “Théâtre 80.”

Théâtre 80 presented the Moroccan public with works inspired by their daily lives, but illuminated with so many comic strips, thus helping to strengthen their reputation.

Khadija Assad has presented several successful works, including the play “Kosta Ya Watan,” and the television series “Lalla Fatima,” which recorded high audience ratings when it was broadcast on 2M during Ramadan, remaining among the most brilliant and important works of the Assad-Saad Allah duo on television.

Her film “Number One” (2009) was also as successful as the series “Machi Bhalhoum” (2018) and “Bent Baladi” (2009), with the participation of Moroccan star Hatem Amor.

Assad and her husband also presented several seasons of the show “Lalla Laaroussa,” a highly popular variety and competition show loved by Moroccan audiences.

After years of glory, the duo left Morocco in 2003 for Canada. But despite their remoteness from their homeland, they did not turn away from their passion and their audiences.

They have given numerous shows to the Moroccan community in Canada and the United States. Khadija Assad participated in many television shows in Canada before returning to Morocco in 2008.

Her passing leaves the Moroccan scene missing one of its most prominent and influential figures, as all mourn the beloved figure.