| Bio/Wiki | |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Wafaa Hamed El Kilani |
| Other Name(s) | • Wafaa Al Kilani • Wafaa Elkilany |
| Profession | • TV Show Host • Journalist |
| Physical Stats | |
| Height (approx.) | 5'7" (170 cm) |
| Eye Colour | Dark Brown |
| Hair Colour | Dark Brown |
| Career | |
| Debut | TV Show- Art News (1997) as a presenter on ART Live TV Show- Studio Al Hawa (1998) as a presenter on ART Films (1998) |
| Awards, Honours | • Voted most popular variety show presenter in a public poll conducted by Ana Zahra magazine (2012) • 'Dear Guest' award for Best Arab Host in the annual poll for her performance in the show, Al Hakam (2014)  • Voted Best Presenter by the readers of Elaph magazine (2014) • Arab Satellite Channels Festival Award (2015) • Voted Best Media Personality in the Veto poll (2018) |
| Personal Life | |
| Date of Birth | 10 September 1972 (Sunday) |
| Age (as of 2024) | 52 Years |
| Birthplace | Cairo, Egypt |
| Zodiac sign | Virgo |
| Nationality | Egyptian |
| Hometown | Cairo, Egypt |
| College/University | University of Benghazi, Libya |
| Educational Qualification | • A degree in political science • Post-graduation in psychology |
| Religion | Islam |
| Food Habit | Non-vegetarian |
| Hobbies | Travelling, Reading |
| Social Media | • Instagram |
| Relationships & More | |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Affairs/Boyfriends | • Tony Mekhael • Taim Hassan |
| Marriage Date | First Marriage: August 2008 Second Marriage: May 2017  |
| Family | |
| Husband/Spouse | • Tony Mekhael (m.2008-div.2016; Journalist) • Taim Hassan (2017-Present; Actor)  |
| Children | Son(s)- 3 • Ryan Mekhael (Born in 2011; With her ex-husband,Tony Mekhael) • Fahad Taim Hasan (Taim Hasan’s son from his previous marriage to Deema Bayaa) • Ward Taim Hasan (Taim Hasan’s son from his previous marriage to Deema Bayaa)  Daughter- • Judy Mekhael (Born in 2009; With her ex-husband,Tony Mekhael)  |
| Parents | Father- Sheikh Hamid Al-Kilani (Businessman) Mother- Homemaker |
| Siblings | Sister(s)- 2 • Wafiya • Waseema |
Some Lesser Known Facts About Wafaa El Kilani
- She lived in various Arab countries during her childhood due to her father’s business.
Wafaa El Kilani during her childhood
- In 1997, her family friends encouraged her to apply for the role of a female presenter at the Arab Radio and Television Network (ART) after spotting an advertisement in the newspaper. She was one of the three people selected for the role.
- After joining the network, she underwent a two-week training program and was subsequently tested by director Milad Bassada in Egypt.
- After watching her audition tape, the owner of ART, Sheikh Saleh Abdullah Kamel, selected her to work at the network’s broadcasting location in Rome, Italy. She travelled to Rome on 15 December 1997.
- During an interview, she revealed that her father had predicted that she would become a TV presenter during her childhood, and said,
He used to tell me when I was little: ‘I imagine you being a broadcaster.’ When chance came and family friends invited me to enter the ART competition to choose female broadcasters in 1997, the matter was “comedic” because of what my father said. But luck wanted it, and I succeeded in the selection.”
- She continued to work as a TV presenter at ART till 2004.
Wafaa El Kilani while working at ART
- She has worked as a BBC news anchor for two years.
- In 2005, she joined Rotana Media Group.
- She has worked as a host for various shows, including ‘Fiha Eh’ (2006), ‘Abwab Al-Omr’ (2007), ‘Against the Current’ (2007), ‘Thouq makayl’ (2008), ‘Nawaret’ (2012), ‘Takharef’ (2018), and ‘Al Seerah’ (2020).
Wafaa El Kilani in a still from Al Seerah
- Initially, her parents were opposed to her marriage to Tony Mekhael, her former colleague at ART, because of their different religions, as Tony was a Christian.
- She married Tony in a civil ceremony in Cyprus and later married him again according to Islamic rituals in Egypt.
- She worked with LBCI (Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation International) from 2009 to 2010.
Wafaa El Kilani while working at LBCI
- She suffered from health complications during her pregnancy with her daughter, Judy Mekhael, after which, took a brief break from her work.
- In 2012, she joined MBC 1, a pan-Arab general television channel.
Wafaa El Kilani, while working as a presenter at MBC1
- In 2014, Taim Hassan appeared as a guest on the TV show ‘Al Hakam’ (2014) and she jokingly proposed to him, which he accepted.
Wafaa El Kilani and Taim Hassan in a still from the show, Al Hakam
- In 2020, she started working at DMC, an Egyptian entertainment television channel.
Wafaa Al Kilani while working at DMC
- She has been subjected to several rumours regarding her troublesome marriage and divorce from her husband, Taim Hasan. In December 2020, journalist Elie Bassil took to his Instagram and claimed that Wafaa El Kilani had received a $100,000 divorce settlement in Alexandria on November 15, 2020.
- The rumour was denied by Wafaa El Kilani’s fans and several social media influencers who pointed out that she had liked Taim’s tweets on his TV series, ‘Al Hayba’ (2017-2020), a few days before Elie Bassil raised the claim of her divorce settlement.
- In 2023, a Lebanese news website, Charbelitta, reported that Wafaa El Kilani is undergoing a period of separation and Taim Hassan has moved out of their home.
- In 2025, after she didn’t appear with her husband at Saudi Arabia’s Joy Awards, it was rumoured that she had divorced her husband. She shut down the rumours and claimed that she didn’t appear with her husband during the award show as he was busy filming the TV series, ‘Taht Sabe’ Ard’ (2025)
- She is a fitness enthusiast and works out regularly in the gym.
Wafaa El Kilani in the gym with Taim Hassan
