The Death of Lebanese Journalist Yumna Shari .. A Departure That Leaves a Void in the World of Media

The Lebanese and Arab media and artistic community was shocked early this Thursday September 18, 2025, by the news of the death of Lebanese journalist and actress Yumna Shari at the age of 55, while she was residing in Canada, where she had lived during the last years of her life.

The news came as a shock to her audience and fans, especially after previous reports circulated about a health crisis she had been experiencing over the past two months, the details of which were not officially revealed.

Sources confirmed that Shari passed away after a short battle with lung cancer, which was discovered recently during her stay in Canada.

Despite undergoing treatment, her health deteriorated rapidly in recent weeks, abruptly ending a media and artistic career that spanned three decades.

Yumna Shari began her professional journey at the "Voice of the People" radio station, before moving to the "Future Television" screen, where she presented several programs that solidified her name in the memory of Lebanese and Arab viewers, most notably: "The Moon at the Door", "Hello Yumna", and "The Open Night".

Shari was distinguished by her spontaneous and warm human style, which earned her great popularity and made her a familiar and welcomed face at events and festivals.

Later, she moved to "Al-Jadeed" channel, where she presented a series of quality programs, maintaining her presence despite moving to live in Canada, where she continued to make intermittent appearances, staying connected with her audience until her last years.

Yumna Shari was also known for her live coverage of the most prominent artistic festivals in the Arab world, including "Hala February Festival" in Kuwait, "Dubai Shopping Festival", and "Jerash Festival for Culture and Arts" in Jordan, where she shone with her eloquence and charismatic presence on live broadcasts.

She also had successful acting experiences, appearing in widely followed dramatic works, such as: "The Pasha", "Hind Khanum", and "Life School", which allowed her to combine media skills with acting talent in her career.

The late journalist held two university degrees, the first in French literature from Saint Joseph University (Jesuit), and the second in media with a specialization in radio and television from the Lebanese University, which formed the scientific foundation for her success and diversity in media, cultural, and artistic fields.

As soon as the news of her death was announced, social media platforms turned into arenas of mourning and expressions of grief, where many of her colleagues and fans shared touching words in farewell.

Journalist Karen Salameh expressed her deep shock via "Instagram", saying:

"Yumna, I can't believe it... no, no, no, no, no, I can't believe it. May God have mercy on you, my beloved... oh God, oh Yumna".

Meanwhile, journalist Rima Karky wrote:

"What a person she was, wherever she was, joy, intelligence, love, and love for life were present... a source of joy, success, strength, and affection... I will miss all the long chats, Yumna, oh flavor of life, those who love you".

For his part, journalist Yekardo Karam wrote on his pages:

"We started the journey together in the early nineties. I never met her face to face, but we were in constant contact. Her departure leaves a big void, but she will remain in memory as a person full of life".

The Syndicate of Professional Artists in Lebanon mourned the late journalist with words praising her career and humanity, confirming that she was one of the most prominent names that influenced the Lebanese media scene during its peak.

So far, her family has not announced any official details regarding the funeral date or condolence arrangements, amid expectations of a statement being issued soon from Canada or Lebanon to specify these details.

With her passing, Yumna Shari closes a bright chapter in the history of Lebanese media, leaving behind a legacy of warm presence, sincere words, and diverse success that will remain etched in the memory of her audience and the archives of Arab media.