Veteran Egyptian broadcaster Layla Rostom has passed away at the age of 88, leaving behind an enduring legacy that solidified her as one of the most influential figures in the history of Egyptian and Arab media. Renowned for her groundbreaking work at Maspero, Egypt’s state-run television and radio network, Rostom was a trailblazer in broadcasting.
Rostom earned the title “The Celebrity Hunter” for her bold, fearless approach to interviewing prominent personalities both in Egypt and abroad, becoming a household name in Arab media during the 1960s.
Born on February 11, 1937, in Cairo, Rostom moved to Alexandria due to her father’s professional commitments. She was the niece of the legendary Egyptian actor Zaki Rostom.
After completing a master’s degree in journalism at Northwestern University in the United States, Rostom began her career in broadcasting with a six-month stint on the European Programme radio. Her major breakthrough came in 1960 when she joined Egyptian television at its inception on July 23.
Over the years, Rostom hosted numerous influential programs that spanned topics of politics, society, and the arts. Notable among them were The Bright Room and Twenty Questions, two of Egyptian television’s most-watched shows. She also presented four French-language news segments, offered four English-language lessons for educational programming, and anchored news bulletins for A Window on the World.
One of her most iconic programs, Your Favourite Star, featured over 150 distinguished guests, including renowned figures such as writer Taha Hussein, singer Abdel Halim Hafez, and playwright Tawfiq al-Hakim. Among her most memorable interviews was a groundbreaking conversation with American boxing legend Muhammad Ali, further cementing her reputation as a pioneering broadcaster.
In the late 1960s, Rostom expanded her career by working with Beirut Television, where she hosted several influential shows such as An Evening with the Past, Between Truth and Fantasy, and Literary Trials.
