Ishraq Gharib’s Family
Ishraq’s Mother:
Mme Zeniab Hamdi (died in 1996) was of Turkish origin. Mme Hamdi's mother had the tile Pompa. Mme Hamdi's father was a minister in the department of
agriculture, and had the title of "Bey". He was a sweet, lovable, man, and never
argued. He was married twice, Ishraq descending from the second
marriage.
Mme Hamdi herself taught philosophy, logic and psychology in a
secondary school, and was ultimately made headmistress. After she
was widowed, she married Ishraq’s father. She had two daughters
from each marriage, Ishraq being the youngest.
Ishraq’s Father:
Ishraq’s father was an entrepreneur who started a glass manufacturing
business and factory in Alexandria, a factory that was later
nationalized by Nasser. No compensation was given.
He then worked for the government in Cairo, as general manager for the
National Glass Company. He was starting to put together another
such company of his own when he died, about 1981, of a cerebral
thrombosis.
He was a very good-looking and generous man. He lived in Italy
for 10 years, did not marry until he was 40. The family
photograph of him, taken on the steps of St Marco, is inscribed
affectionately from an opera diva.
Ishraq was much beloved of him and (she says) "spoiled". He
called her Ish-Ish. His sport was shooting, an enthusiasm which
he extended to Ishraq.
Other Relatives:
Both of Ishraq's maternal grandparents died at around age 82, at around the time that Ishraq’s father died.
Ishraq’s sisters are:
Eman: lives in Dubai
Sahar: loves music and lives in Cairo
Wafaa: lives in Dubai with her two children, Dina and Ahmed.
Ishraq Herself:
Ishraq graduated from secondary school tenth in all Egypt. Her
degree, from the American University in Cairo, is in Mass
Communications. After graduation, she worked in advertising and
marketing.
Ishraq loves art and dancing.
She is married to Richard C Neergaard with whom she has two children, Samer and Lila.