Umm Kulthum
Umm Kulthum challenged the position of women within Egyptian society by starting her professional singing in a time period when women performing was a taboo. During her whole career, she undermined traditional gender norms by making her own business deals and often singing to an audience mostly filled by men. Besides that, she also fulfilled the role of presidency within the Musicians Union for seven years, despite being opposed by many because of her gender. Umm Kulthum also resisted to give up her singing career for a family life and she had two unconventional marriages. Her first marriage ended within days, while her second marriage – at the age of 50 – was with a younger man with children from an ex-wife.