Princess Fatma al-Zahra
Egyptian princess / residence owner and patron of its decoration
Residence begun in 1919; completed and occupied by Fatma
Who they were
Princess Fatma al-Zahra was a daughter of Prince Ali Haider, a descendant of Muhammad Ali Pasha. Her mother, Zainab Fahmy, began the family palace in Alexandria’s Zizinia district in 1919. Fatma completed the residence and made it her home.
The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities links the house’s painted decoration, gilded ceilings and mosaics with the princess’s taste. Its two wings, connected by a passage, formed the setting for her domestic life. This account distinguishes her contribution to the house from her mother’s role in initiating construction.
The palace now houses the Royal Jewelry Museum. Its exhibits represent the wider Muhammad Ali dynasty, including possessions of different rulers, queens and princesses. They should not all be described as Fatma’s personal collection: her residence provides the architectural setting for a broader dynastic museum.
Related residences
Sources
- Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities — Fatma, Zainab and the Royal Jewelry Museum
- Royal Jewelry Museum — official English record
Short biography checked 10 October 2026. Lifespan and documented activity dates are labelled separately.
Explore Palace of Princess Fatma al-Zahra interiors and collections.