The wife of the Original Sheik passes away

source: Stephen Faust

We are very sorry to report the passing of Joyce Farhat, the wife of the Original Sheik, who worked alongside him for many years as The Princess Salima.
Farhat passed away on Wednesday evening 11/27 after being ill for some time. She had been on life support prior to her passing, according to Facebook posts made by her nephewm former ECW champion Sabu.

Farhart worked for decades alongside the Original Sheik, Ed Farhart, as both his valet and then behind the scenes in the old Big Time Wrestling territory in Detroit.

During the time period where kayfabe was kept strict, The Sheik’s public persona required Farhart to remain silent. So, his wife would often speak for him on airplanes, order for him in restaurants and maintain a buffer that allowed Sheik to present himself “in character” as often as possible to protect the aura of his personality.

Even as late as 1993, Farhat would accompany the Sheik to autograph signings, speaking to fans and signing their names to items they wanted personalized, since “The Sheik would not speak or write English.”

Farhat was also featured in a cameo in the legendary 1985 film “I Like To Hurt People”, documenting the Sheik’s reign of bloody terror in the Detroit area. She was not identified as his wife in the film and instead was featured as a fan of the business, sort of an Easter Egg for those who knew better.

Even after The Sheik’s passing in 2003, Farhart remained his voice, accepting his WWE Hall of Fame induction in 2007 in Detroit, Michigan.

Our deepest condolences to Farhat’s family and friends, including her nephew Sabu, during this sad time.