Salma Abu Deif Is Harper’s Bazaar Junior’s Spring/Summer 2025 Issue Cover Star

Actress Salma Abu Deif introduces her new baby girl into the world

It’s a classic love story – one in which Harper’s Bazaar Arabia played a starring role as cupid. Salma Abu Deif was in Dubai shooting a cover story for the magazine, when last minute cancellations from friends unexpectedly turned a large group soirée into an intimate dinner à deux. The only other invitee who turned up? Swiss-Sudanese businessman Idriss Abdel Aziz – the man she now calls her husband, and the father of her beautiful two-month-old baby girl, Sophia.

“Everyone ended up ditching,” the silver screen star laughs when remembering that night. “So it was just the two of us. I knew right away that he was the one.” It was love at first sight for Idriss too, as he instantly knew it was going to be serious from the get-go. Commitment was on the cards from the outset: “He asked for my hand the first night we went out. He was like, ‘So where do you want our wedding to be?’ And I answered, ‘Italy!’”

The model-turned-actress shared news of her engagement last year while on holiday in Portugal – Idriss proposed with a stunning Tiffany & Co. diamond ring – and just a year later her close bond with Bazaar Arabia comes full circle, as we shoot this Junior cover story with the newest addition to her family.

“Having a child has been my dream for my whole life,” Salma admits, perhaps surprisingly given her dedication to her career and the stratospheric heights she has taken it to; she was awarded the DIAFA Arab Actress of the Year award in 2024, has appeared in more than a dozen hit dramas and starred in Sheikh Jackson, Egypt’s official nomination for Best Foreign Film at the Academy Awards. “We both wanted kids and agreed to start a family right after our marriage. We both love each other deeply and knew what we wanted in life. Starting a family was something we both dreamed of.”

She also didn’t come to the decision lightly – or blindly – having already formed a close bond with little ones in her own family. “My sister has two children; Nadia, who is five years old, and Magdy who is four. I also have friends with babies,” Salma explains, when asked how prepared she was for motherhood.

Although Salma is a lauded figure in the Egyptian film industry, and chose to divulge important milestones with her fans – four million of who follow her on Instagram – she was openly conflicted as to whether she wanted to share Sophia’s journey with the rest of the world. The fact that her partner wasn’t in the limelight meant lots of decisions had to be made about how they were going to raise their newly expanded family.

“Idriss and I come from different cultural backgrounds,” she explains. “I was born and raised in Egypt, and he was born and raised in Switzerland. So, we have different approaches to life, but our core values are very similar. We agreed to take the best of both worlds and blend them together. I’ve always believed that mixed kids have more open-minded perspectives – and there’s so much beauty in that.”

Being in the public eye and going through something as intensely personal as a pregnancy – something no one is in control of – must have been tricky for the 32-year-old. Did she feel the pressure to keep up her picture-perfect appearance? “Luckily my pregnancy was smooth,” she recalls. “Aside from my hormonal moods, which were intense I have to say.” She grins ruefully: “I unleashed my inner monster over the first three months, but I took it easy. I did one project during my pregnancy then relaxed, waiting for the baby to arrive.”

And although many in her field look to orchestrate major announcements and mark milestones with choreographed reveals, Salma decided not to take that route. It was a time of self-care. “I did a lot of reflection during that time,” she says, adding, “I mostly stayed in my bubble, learning about how the female body works. I was amazed by how a human being is created; subhanallah.”

When baby Sophia, who was born in Dubai, came into the world, her parents offered a poignant announcement on 31 January, 2025: An illustrated image of Salma and her daughter, with the simple caption: “Sophia Monique Idriss,” with Sade’s The Sweetest Gift as the soundtrack.

Truth be told, this cover shoot almost didn’t happen. “I believe some things in life need to remain private, especially personal matters. I prefer for my audience to be captivated by my work rather than my personal life,” she says when admitting she was torn as to what about – and how much of – Sophia to share.

And although Salma was hands-on, seemingly a natural with her weeks-old little one, she quickly dispels any notion that it has been a seamless transition into parenthood. Although she was excited about “seeing her and meeting her for the first time,” and “the whole journey of motherhood,” equally she was nervous about how she would “balance my career with my duties as a wife and a mother. I was also afraid of not being a good enough mother for my baby.” Her fears echoing those of anyone embarking on this life-changing journey.

“I think the biggest misconception I had was that motherhood would come naturally, effortlessly. I thought I’d instantly know what to do in every situation. But the reality is that it’s a learning process every single day. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach, and it’s OK to ask for help or figure things out as you go,” she says. “Don’t be afraid to ask for help – motherhood is a team effort.”

And despite having only been a mum for a short time, she already has sage words of advice. “Trust your instincts. You know your baby better than anyone else. The best advice I received was not to overwhelm myself with too much advice because every child has their own milestones and personality. Motherhood naturally kicks in once the baby arrives.”

Salma’s life – and her relationship with her other half – have both completely changed. “Our plans now revolve around her,” she says, admitting, “I think we have less freedom than we did before. But it’s brought us closer in a new way. We’re learning to navigate this new chapter together.”

“I used to be more spontaneous, but now I need to schedule everything in advance, so that one thing doesn’t overlap with another. My life now revolves around [Sophia], especially since she is still a baby. Being a mother has completely changed me – my body, my inner self – and I know that I will never be the same as before.” She breaks into her trademark megawatt smile, “But that’s very beautiful; a new version of me was needed anyway.”

Photography by Sam Rawadi. Styling by Nour Bou Ezz. Make-Up: Manuel Losada. Hair: Sebastian Iskander. Senior Producer: Steff Hawker. Lighting Assistant: Scar Salario. Fashion Assistant: Dalia Redai.

A special thanks to Nikki Beach Dubai. nikkibeach.com