Menna Shalaby Biography: Age, Height, Net Worth, Parents, Siblings, Career, Spouse, Nationality

Menna Shalaby is a distinguished Egyptian actress renowned for her powerful performances in film and television across the Arab world.

Her commanding presence and versatile roles have established her as one of Egypt’s most celebrated and sought-after actresses, earning her historic recognition, including the first Egyptian nomination for an International Emmy Award.

Profile

• Full Name: Mennat Allah Hesham Shalaby
• Stage Name: Menna Shalaby
• Born: July 24, 1982
• Age: 42 years old
• Birthplace: Giza, Egypt
• Nationality: Egyptian
• Occupation: Actress
• Height: 5’5¾” (167 cm)
• Parents: Hesham Shalaby, Zizi Mustafa
• Siblings: 2
• Spouse: None
• Children: None
• Relationship: Single
• Net Worth: $1.5 million to USD 5 million

Early Life and Education

Menna Shalaby, an acclaimed actress, was born on July 24, 1982, in Giza, Egypt, to a family of artists.

Her father, Hesham Shalaby, was a businessman, and her mother, Zizi Mustafa, a renowned dancer and actress, inspired Menna’s early passion for the performing arts.

Growing up with an older half-brother and half-sister, she was immersed in the entertainment world, often mimicking her mother in front of a mirror by age six.

Her playful antics, like feigning illness to skip school, hinted at her natural flair for acting, as her mother fondly noted.

Menna’s formal education details are private, but her exposure to the arts through her mother’s career provided a strong foundation for her future in acting. Her ethnicity is Egyptian, and she practices Islam.

Career

Menna Shalaby, a versatile actress, began her career in 1999 with a brief appearance in the film El-Asifa.

Her professional breakthrough came in 2001 with the television series Hadith Al-Sabah Wal Masaa (Morning and Evening Talk), based on a story by Naguib Mahfouz, which garnered widespread attention.

That same year, she made her film debut with Al Saher (The Magician), earning critical acclaim.

Her role in Baheb El Seema (I Love Cinema, 2004) alongside Layla Elwy solidified her as a rising star. Menna has since collaborated with acclaimed directors such as Youssef Chahine in Heya Fawda (Chaos, 2007) and Yousry Nasrallah in After the Battle (2012), which marked the return of Egyptian cinema to Cannes after a 15-year hiatus.

Her portrayal of Nawara in the 2015 film Nawara earned her a record 10 Best Actress awards, showcasing her ability to tackle complex social issues.

Menna’s television work, including Every Week Has a Friday (2020), made history with her International Emmy nomination, the first for an Egyptian actress.

Recent projects include box-office hits like El Gareema (The Crime, 2022) and Men Agl Ziko (2022), available on Netflix, as well as the Ramadan series Betlou’ Al-Rouh (2022).

Her commitment to supporting new talent is evident in her role in the short film Fork and Knife (2018), which competed at the El Gouna Film Festival.

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: @mennagram
• Facebook Handle: Menna Shalaby
• Twitter Handle: @Menna_Shalaby

Personal Life

Menna Shalaby, a celebrated actress, remains single at 42, having stated she has not found the right partner for marriage.

Known for her modesty and private nature, she separates her personal life from her public persona, rarely sharing details beyond her professional achievements.

In a 2019 interview with eniGma Magazine, she described drawing inspiration from positive encounters and natural beauty, reflecting her grounded personality.

Despite occasional camera shyness, as noted during a photoshoot, Menna’s confidence and charisma shine through in her work.

She resides in Cairo, where she enjoys connecting with fans and supporting emerging filmmakers, maintaining a warm and approachable presence both on and off-screen.

Filmography

• El-Asifa (1999, film)
• Al Saher (The Magician, 2001, film)
• Baheb El Seema (I Love Cinema, 2004, film)
• Banat West El Balad (Downtown Girls, 2005, film)
• An Eleshk Wel Hawa (On Love and Passion, 2006, film)
• Heya Fawda (Chaos, 2007, film)
• Asef Ala Al Izaag (Sorry to Disturb, 2008, film)
• Noor Einy (Light of My Eyes, 2010, film)
• After the Battle (2012, film)
• Nawara (2015, film)
• El Asleyeen (The Originals, 2017, film)
• Torab El Mas (Diamond Dust, 2018, film)
• El Gareema (The Crime, 2022, film)
• Men Agl Ziko (2022, film)
• Hadith Al-Sabah Wal Masaa (Morning and Evening Talk, 2001, TV series)
• El Banat (2003, TV series)
• Sunset Oasis (2017, TV series)
• Every Week Has a Friday (2020 TV series)
• Betlou’ Al-Rouh (2022, TV series)

Net Worth

Menna Shalaby, an esteemed actress, has an estimated net worth of $1.5 million to USD 5 million.

Her wealth is primarily derived from her extensive career in Egyptian cinema and television, including starring roles in box-office hits and critically acclaimed series.

Additional income comes from endorsements, such as her 2021 OPPO Reno6 Series campaign and her jury roles at international film festivals.

Her enduring popularity and prolific output continue to bolster her financial success.