Nazia Hassan

Early Life

Nazia Hassan was born on April 3, 1965, in Karachi, Pakistan, into a family that valued both business and social service. Her father, Basir Hassan, was a businessman, while her mother, Muniza Basir, was an active social worker. Growing up between Karachi and London, she was surrounded by a rich cultural environment that would later influence her musical career. Nazia was also the sister of fellow singers Zoheb and Zara Hassan.

Career

Hassan's journey in music began at the tender age of fifteen when she was discovered by Indian actress Zeenat Aman. This encounter led her to meet film director Feroz Khan, who encouraged her to audition for the song "Aap Jaisa Koi" composed by Biddu for the film Qurbani. The song became a massive hit, catapulting her to fame. In 1981, she released her debut album, "Disco Deewane," which shattered sales records in Pakistan and India and even gained international acclaim, topping charts in regions as diverse as the West Indies and Latin America. Alongside her brother Zoheb, she became a pop sensation, selling over 65 million records worldwide and earning the title of the "Queen of South Asian Pop."

Personal Life and Philanthropy

Nazia Hassan pursued higher education, earning a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration and Economics from Richmond American University in London. She later worked with the United Nations, focusing on women's and children's rights. In 1995, she married businessman Mirza Ishtiaq Baig in an arranged marriage that faced numerous challenges, leading to their divorce shortly before her death in 2000. Despite her personal struggles, Hassan was dedicated to philanthropy, working on various social causes, including the establishment of mobile clinics in underprivileged areas of Karachi. Her legacy continues through the Nazia Hassan Foundation, created by her parents to honor her commitment to social betterment.