Widely known as the “Gulf’s leading screen lady”, Al-Fahad’s career spanned more than six decades covering television, theatre and cinema with various genres, from drama to comedy.
The Doha Film Institute (DFI) has mourned prominent Kuwaiti actress Hayat Al-Fahad, who passed away on Tuesday at the age of 78 following a battle with illness.
“Today we lost one of the most important figures in Gulf and Arab art, after she enriched the Arab artistic library with works that left a deep imprint in every Arab home,” the DFI said on its social media pages.
“Through characters she brought to life with authenticity and soul, her artistic journey remained a symbol of dedication, sincerity, and a profound belief in the role of art in uplifting societies, promoting human values, and expanding the influence of artists across broader horizons,” the Institute added.
Al-Fahad’s death was announced on her Instagram page, saying her body will be laid to rest on Tuesday at Kuwait’s Sulaibikhat Cemetery. In August 2025, Al-Fahad suffered from a stroke which required receiving treatment abroad in the United Kingdom.
Al-Fahad’s page then said on 3 February that she returned to Kuwait and that she was admitted into the intensive care unit.
“Across television screens and on the theater stage, her work served as a guiding light for generations passionate about art and acting. What she offered will remain a testament to an exceptional artist who has departed, but whose beautiful legacy will endure and never fade,” DFI said.
Widely known as the “Gulf’s leading screen lady”, Al-Fahad’s career spanned more than six decades covering television, theatre and cinema with various genres, from drama to comedy.
She lived a difficult childhood after her father passed away when she was five-years-old, prompting her family to move cities, which forced her to leave school at an early age.
However, she taught herself to read and write in both Arabic and English, and worked at Al-Sabah Hospital. During her job, she met Kuwaiti actor Hussein Al-Qattan, known as “Abu Jassoum”, who suggested that she joined his theater troupe.
Her acting career took off from there despite her family’s initial refusal, starting with her first appearance on television show “Abu Jassoum’s Family” in the 1960s. Her other famous works also included comedy show “Khalti Qumasha” and Qatar Television’s drama series “Indama Tu’Gany Al Zuhor”.
