Moroccan actress Kaoutar Boudarraja passes away at 40 after battle with cancer
Moroccan media personality and actress Kaoutar Boudarraja passed away on Friday morning at the age of forty, following a quiet but difficult battle with cancer.
Despite her deteriorating health in recent months, Boudarraja chose to face her illness privately, stepping away from the spotlight and public life. She passed away at her family home after being discharged from a private clinic in Casablanca, where she had been receiving care.
The news of her passing was confirmed by her close friend, jewelry designer Maryam Al-Abyad — known as «Mimi LeBlanc» in an Instagram story.
According to media reports, Boudarraja was laid to rest in a private, intimate ceremony in accordance with her wishes. The funeral was attended only by close family and a few friends.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Morocco World
an hour ago
- Morocco World
Moroccan Author Zineb Mekouar Wins Henri de Régnier Prize from French Academy
Rabat – Moroccan writer Zineb Mekouar has won the prestigious Henri de Régnier Prize from the French Academy (Académie Française) for her second novel 'Souviens-toi des abeilles' ('Remember the Bees'), published by Gallimard. The award was announced on Thursday as part of the Academy's 2025 literary prize list. The Henri de Régnier Prize is given as support for literary creation. It is one of 71 prizes awarded this year by the French Academy to honor achievements in literature, poetry, history, philosophy, cinema, music, and more. 'I'm very moved to receive this beautiful prize, given by the French Academy, an institution I admire and respect immensely,' Mekouar said in a statement to Morocco's state news agency MAP. The author explained that the prize shines a light on both her writing and the themes explored in the novel, such as motherly love and the urgent need to care for the Earth. Set in the ancient collective beehive of Inzerki in Morocco, which is considered the world's oldest and largest traditional apiary, 'Souviens-toi des abeilles' also pays tribute to local Moroccan heritage. Mekouar dedicated this prize to the people of Inzerki, who she said welcomed her so warmly. The novel has already received acclaim in France for its poetic style and delicate treatment of climate change issues. It was one of the French Academy Goncourt's summer 2024 favorites and appeared on the first selection list for the 2024 Jean Giono Prize. In addition, 'Souviens-toi des abeilles' won the 2025 Folire Prize, which spotlights the connection between mental health and community life. Born in Casablanca in 1991, Mekouar has lived in Paris since 2009. Her first novel, 'La poule et son cumin' ('The Hen and Its Cumin'), published by JC Lattès in 2022, was a finalist for the Goncourt Prize for First Novels and was also selected as a summer favorite by the Goncourt Academy in 2022. Tags: AuthorZineb Mekouar
Ya Biladi
6 hours ago
- Ya Biladi
Hassan II Foundation launches 26th cultural stay for Moroccan children abroad
The Hassan II Foundation for Moroccans Living Abroad is hosting the 26th edition of its «Cultural Stay» program for summer 2025 at its socio-cultural center in Kenitra, running from July 5 to August 19. This educational and cultural initiative aims to deepen the connection of Moroccan expatriate children to their homeland and strengthen their cultural identity through a summer experience blending entertainment, learning, and exposure to Moroccan heritage. This year, the program welcomes 960 children aged 9 to 13, divided into four consecutive ten-day sessions: July 5–14, July 17–26, July 29–August 7, and August 10–19. Participants come from various countries across Europe, Africa, and the Americas, including France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Spain, Italy, the United Kingdom, Tunisia, Libya, Mauritania, Senegal, Côte d'Ivoire, Canada, the United States, and Palestine. The first session opened with 237 children from France, Belgium, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, and Tunisia—136 boys and 101 girls. France leads in participation with 121 children, followed by Italy with 41, then Spain and Belgium with 25 and 24 respectively. The program offers a wide range of artistic, educational, and sports activities, including art workshops, cultural visits to landmarks such as the Mohammed VI Museum and Bouregreg Valley, film screenings, and cultural evenings. Sports activities include football, swimming, handball, volleyball, and video games, some culminating in competitions with symbolic prizes. Since its launch in 1998, the «Cultural Stay» program has benefited over 17,782 children out of 20,607 allocated spots, achieving a 91% completion rate. Participation has been predominantly male (65%), with encouraging growth in female attendance in recent years.
Ya Biladi
13 hours ago
- Ya Biladi
Moroccan actress Kaoutar Boudarraja passes away at 40 after battle with cancer
Moroccan media personality and actress Kaoutar Boudarraja passed away on Friday morning at the age of forty, following a quiet but difficult battle with cancer. Despite her deteriorating health in recent months, Boudarraja chose to face her illness privately, stepping away from the spotlight and public life. She passed away at her family home after being discharged from a private clinic in Casablanca, where she had been receiving care. The news of her passing was confirmed by her close friend, jewelry designer Maryam Al-Abyad — known as «Mimi LeBlanc» in an Instagram story. According to media reports, Boudarraja was laid to rest in a private, intimate ceremony in accordance with her wishes. The funeral was attended only by close family and a few friends.
