The passing of Sudanese drama icon Balqis Awad at the age of 80

^{Balqees Awad is the first actress to perform her roles in classical Arabic (social media).}

January 12, 2026 (PEN) Sudanese media reported today the death of the famous Sudanese actress Balqis Awad at the police hospital in the city of Dongola, at the age of 80, after a long struggle with illness.

According to Sudanese newspapers, Balqis Awad is considered one of the pioneers of Sudanese drama in theater and radio. She was born in Khartoum in 1946, and her artistic career spanned decades during which she presented prominent works that influenced the Sudanese cultural scene.

According to the same sources, Balqis was the first Sudanese female customs officer in 1965, and she was also the first actress to perform her roles in classical Arabic on Sudanese radio in 1961, which cemented her position as one of the most prominent female figures in the history of Sudanese art.

_{Source: Websites}