Saudi Artist Shalimar Sharbatly: Crown Prince Mohammed Salman Leads the Kingdom Toward an Unprecedented, Comprehensive National Transformation.

Saudi artist Shalimar Sharbatly expressed her deep appreciation and admiration for His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed Salman Abdulaziz Al Saud, affirming that under his leadership, the Kingdom is witnessing a comprehensive and unprecedented national transformation, steadily propelling the nation toward a more prosperous and advanced future in line with the goals of Vision 2030.

In a televised interview, Sharbatly stated that the Crown Prince represents an exceptional leadership model, distinguished by profound strategic vision and forward-thinking mindset, through which he has succeeded in bringing about a qualitative shift in Saudi Arabia’s development journey across economic, social, cultural, and regulatory dimensions. She noted that the achievements realized in recent years reflect the strength of the national projects led by his royal highness, enhancing the Kingdom’s regional and international standing, improving quality of life, and expanding opportunities for development and investment.

Sharbatly also emphasized that the current phase is marked by a stronger spirit of national belonging and pride in Saudi identity, alongside heightened social and cultural dynamism. She pointed to growing public celebration of national occasions, major events, and cultural and entertainment programs and festivals. These contribute to a balanced societal environment and raise awareness of the nation’s importance and achievements.

She further stressed on the importance of empowering Saudi women and strengthening their participation in national development, noting that decisions issued in recent years represent a significant turning point. These reforms have opened broader opportunities for women in education, employment, and economic and social participation, in addition to their rights related to mobility, travel, and driving, as well as the development of legal frameworks related to family rights which ensure social stability and reinforce justice.

Sharbatly added that safeguarding financial rights and strengthening related systems are key indicators of a modern state, praising the Kingdom’s “civilizational and institutional leap,” which has contributed to raising institutional efficiency, achieving the highest levels of governance, and improving service quality that benefit citizens, residents, and visitors alike.

She affirmed that the national project led by the Crown Prince represents a pivotal turning point in the Kingdom’s history and will remain a prominent landmark in the modern Saudi development journey, investing in people, places, and opportunities. She concluded by wishing His Royal Highness continued success and guidance.

Parents: The Foundation of Her Personality and Artistic Formation

Sharbatly also highlighted the major role played by her father and mother in her life, describing them as the backbone in shaping her artistic, psychological, and social personality. She said her late father, Mr. Hassan Abbas Sharbatly, former Minister of State and former Minister of Finance, was a model of generosity and noble character, and that he opened the door for her from an early age to become the artist she is today. She added: “He gave me the space… If he had refused, I would not have become Shalimar. His guidance was part of the formation of my personality.”

As for her mother, a graduate of the Faculty of Fine Arts, Sharbatly said she was her first teacher in life, teaching her the meaning of strength, dignity, and standing up for one’s rights since childhood. She instilled in her the ability to confront hardships and protect herself, while maintaining elegance, softness, and classic refinement in her interactions.

Sharbatly noted that what she learned from her parents went beyond strength and independence to include honesty with oneself and faith that God is the ultimate protector of rights, helping her overcome challenges and prevail over attempts of discouragement or injustice in both her personal and artistic life.

Personal Life, Marriage, and Daughter:

Sharbatly spoke about her emotional life, stating that her husband, Director Khaled Youssef, represents a great and genuine love story in her life, and that their relationship has been built on honesty and mutual respect for more than 15 years. She said: “Khaled and I are completely different in everything, but he knows me well and I know him… There are no dark rooms between us,” emphasizing that true love is based on trust and free choice, away from others’ interference.

Regarding her daughter “Titi,” Sharbatly noted that she inherited from her father early skills in dialogue and screenplay writing, and that she has a passion for art and acting. She affirmed that her daughter will choose her own path freely, whether as a director or a doctor, with full support and guidance in values that distinguish between freedom and excess.

Home, Friends, and Influential Relationships:

Sharbatly stated that her home reflects a system of love and support, where art, family, and friends meet in one space. She considered honesty and loyalty in relationships the foundation of her life. She mentioned influential friends in her life, including Magdy El-Gallad, Wael El-Ibrashy, Khaled Salah, Mohamed Saad, Farouk Gouida, Magdy Mohanna and Safwat El-Sherif, stressing that true friends remain steadfast in difficult times.

She added that renowned singer Mohamed Mounir, whom she referred to as “The King,” has been her friend since she was thirteen, and that he displays her paintings in his home and celebrates her birthday with her family, expressing appreciation for her art since her early years.

View on Technology and Artificial Intelligence:

Sharbatly expressed a critical opinion regarding certain aspects of technology, stating that projects such as those associated with Elon Musk may be “against humanity.” She warned against the expansion of artificial intelligence and robots, which may pose threats to humans, noting that technological advancements are sometimes used to “divide societies and manufacture trends.”

Admiration for Humanitarian Icons and Cultural Influences:

Sharbatly expressed deep admiration for world-renowned surgeon Dr. Magdi Yacoub, describing him as the “King of Hearts,” and wished that her daughter would become a role model like him in humanity and science.

She also spoke about her relationship with the late writer Abdullah Al-Jifri, describing him as a close friend. She highlighted the role of Dr. Ghazi Al-Gosaibi, the late poet Prince (Badr Abdulmohsen), and Abdel Rahman El-Abnoudy in enriching her cultural and intellectual journey.

Academic Background

Finally, Sharbatly revealed an academic aspect of her life, explaining that she studied criminal sciences and criminal psychology. She pointed to the difficulty of the specialization and the limited number of successful graduates, emphasizing that she was among the few who completed the program successfully.