Retired Egyptian actress Shams El-Baroudi became emotional while recalling the death of her son Abdullah Hassan Youssef, who drowned at the age of 35, opening up about the devastating impact the tragedy had on her family and her late husband, actor Hassan Youssef.
During a phone interview with Egyptian TV host Basma Wahba, El-Baroudi struggled to hold back her tears as she revisited the family’s final days with Abdullah and the painful events surrounding his death.
A Family Summer Trip Turns Into Tragedy
El-Baroudi recalled how the family had traveled to Egypt’s North Coast for a summer vacation.
According to her account, they arrived on Thursday and spent Friday buying supplies for the holiday with Abdullah.
The following day, however, the family’s vacation turned into tragedy when Abdullah drowned.
Overcome with emotion while recounting the sequence of events, El-Baroudi said she still found it difficult to comprehend what happened.
Why She Kept Hassan Youssef Away From His Son’s Final Farewell
El-Baroudi also revealed that she prevented her late husband, Hassan Youssef, from attending the washing of their son’s body.
She explained that she knew how deeply attached he was to Abdullah and believed he would not have been able to withstand the experience.
According to El-Baroudi, the loss had a profound impact on her husband, whose health deteriorated following their son’s death.
A 53-Year Marriage
The retired actress also reflected on her decades-long relationship with Hassan Youssef.
She said she married him when she was 26 and that they spent 53 years together, recalling both their family life and his career.
Throughout her emotional reflections, she repeatedly referred to her late husband affectionately as her “beloved.”
The Story Behind ‘Imam Al-Du’ah’
El-Baroudi also recalled the circumstances surrounding the production of “Imam Al-Du’ah,” the television drama about prominent Islamic scholar Sheikh Mohammed Metwally Al-Shaarawy.
She said Hassan Youssef was determined to produce the series following Al-Shaarawy’s death despite facing significant financial challenges.
According to her account, he approached Egypt’s Media Production City for support and ultimately found a way to move forward with the project despite limited available funding.
Hassan Youssef Prioritized His Children’s Education
El-Baroudi also spoke about her husband’s determination to ensure their children completed their university education before pursuing professional opportunities.
She said Hassan Youssef refused to allow their son Mahmoud to sign contracts with English football club Fulham because he wanted him to finish his studies first.
He reportedly took a similar position with their son Omar Hassan Youssef, insisting that he complete his university studies in Switzerland before pursuing acting.
The Film Scene He Did Not Want Her to Watch
El-Baroudi also recalled an incident involving Omar’s appearance in the Egyptian film “Bentein Min Masr.”
She said Hassan Youssef advised her not to watch the film’s final scene because he believed its emotional intensity would be too difficult for her.
When she later watched the movie at home, she said she broke down in tears.
El-Baroudi’s latest comments offer a deeply personal glimpse into a family that spent decades in the public eye while coping with the sudden loss of a son, a tragedy she says profoundly affected both her and her late husband.
