9 Famous Syrian People You REALLY Don’t Know

4. Asmahan

The late Asmahan was a popular Syrian singer and actress during the 1930s and 40s. Asmahan, who was born in Syria, but later moved to Egypt with her family, is considered to be one of the Arab world’s most distinguished singers of the 20th century. She was also an integral figure in World War II. In 1941, Asmahan returned to the French Mandate of Syria (then under the rule of Vichy France) at the request of the British and the Free French on a secret mission to notify her people that the British and Free French forces would be invading Syria and to convince them they should not fight. British and Free French had promised the independence of Syria and Lebanon to all inhabitants on the date of the invasion, however that did not happen. Asmahan’s mysterious death in an automobile accident in 1944 shocked the public and inspired conspiracy theories about her turbulent personal life and alleged espionage role in the war.