Egyptian actress Nadia Karam and her sister, artist Abir Ahmed, are locked in a public dispute over financial support and health costs. After Karam appealed to businessmen and fans for help with expensive medical treatments, Ahmed claimed she continues to provide financial aid, while Karam countered that her sister is lying about the support.
Abir Ahmed’s Claims of Ongoing Financial Support
Abir Ahmed responded to social media criticism by confirming she has not abandoned her sister and continues to provide financial assistance. Ahmed asserted that she has supported Karam for years, including during her time in Kuwait, and recently transferred funds to her again. She questioned why she alone is held responsible for the costs when they have other brothers in Egypt who are well-off but do not provide sufficient help.
Ahmed stated that she has carried heavy family responsibilities throughout her 32-year career in the arts, often working until late hours. She noted that her current financial standing is the result of years of hard work and diligence. She also mentioned her responsibility toward her children, who graduated a year ago but have not yet found employment, and explained that her family obligations prevent her from bringing her sister to live with her during her travels to visit her children in London.
Ahmed also pushed back against the narrative of Karam as a victim. She claimed that Karam has not received financial aid from anyone else but her. Ahmed argued that her sister failed to save for her own future despite living a normal life that included visiting cafes and traveling.
The stress of the public dispute has also taken a toll on Ahmed, who stated she suffers from an autoimmune disease that requires her to avoid psychological pressure to prevent her health from worsening. She expressed frustration that she has not received a word of thanks from her sister despite the burdens she has carried.
Nadia Karam’s Denial and Appeal for Help
Nadia Karam has flatly denied these claims, calling her sister a liar. In a subsequent video, Karam asserted that Ahmed has not spent any money on her since 2003, with the exception of one small amount that Karam characterized as a charitable donation in memory of their mother. She recounted a specific instance where Ahmed bought her a ticket but then took it back, resulting in a loss of 40 Kuwaiti dinars.
Good people, whoever wants to help me, please do.
Nadia Karam, actress
Karam explained that her plea for help has expanded beyond businessmen to include princes, sheikhs, and heads of state. She also revealed a complication regarding her financial aid: because her professional name differs from the name on her legal identification, one businessman accused her of fraud when she sought assistance. Kuwaiti journalist Mai Al-Eidan further fueled the public conversation by resharing the video clip with the caption Account Statement.
Nadia Karam Faces Deportation from Kuwait
Born on March 24, 1959, Nadia Karam built a career spanning more than 100 artistic works, including plays and television series. She became a fixture of Gulf drama, particularly in Kuwait. One of her most recognized roles was the character Maysoun
in the 2003 comedy series Al-Hayala
, appearing alongside the late Abdul Hussein Abdul Redha and Khaled Al-Nafisi.
Her stability in the region ended in 2022 when she was permanently deported from Kuwait for violating residency laws. Reports indicated her residency had expired and was not renewed, leading to a short period of detention before her expulsion and subsequent relocation to Egypt.
Despite her current health struggles, Karam has expressed a strong desire to return to acting.
