Siti Zainab binti Kimpal

Siti Zainab binti Kimpal was an Indonesian actress, dancer, and singer. She was born on 31 December 1935 in Sabak Bernam, Selangor, as the eldest child and daughter of the three children of Siti Khadijah and Kimpal. Zainab had a younger sister, Hindun binti Kimpal, and a younger brother, Kamaruddin bin Kimpal. She was raised in a theatrical family and educated at Volkschool and religious school, followed by taking a singing and dancing course with Haji Gong, a Singaporean actor.

Zainab started her career by joined Royal Opera and Dardanella Troupe before World War II. In 1947, she joined Bintang Berlian troupe as a singer and actress until the city was attacked during Operation Product. Zainab later moved to Lubuklinggau and joined Sri Budaya troupe, and started to perform a dance number at stage. She later moved to Jambi and joined Dian troupe.

Zainab along with her parents moved to Singapore and started her career as a singer and dancer. She signed a contract with Shaw Brothers Studio and later made her film debut in Nasib (1949) as maid, followed by a role in Nilam (1949) as the child. She then appeared in a few films, such as Rachun Dunia (1950), Bakti (1950), Takdir Ilahi (1950), and made her last film appearance in Dewi Murni (1950). Zainab's role were mostly supporting role and chorus girl. She later returned to Palembang along with her parents.

On 28 February 1951, Zainab along with her parents joined Ratu Asia troupe led by Sjamsuddin Sjafei during the troupe trip to Jakarta. She performed as a dancer and singer, and then released several songs, such as "Sayang di Sayang", "Hari Raya", and etc, which gained a positive response from audience. On 25 May, Zainab performed at Jakarta Art Building and gained a positive response for her friendly nature and smile. She made her first Indonesian film debut by starring in Taufan (1952) as a village girl, followed by starring in Timuriana (1953) and Belenggu Masjarakat (1953).

Zainab later returned to Bukittinggi and attended Sekolah Kepandaian Putri (literally Girls Intelligence School; SKP), followed by taking a cooking course. In 1956, she moved to Bengkalis and married Zakaria bin Muhammad Amin, an ulama, and has had seven children:

• Zulkarnain Zakaria (b. 1957)
• Nukman Zakaria (b. 1960)
• Rinie Yuslina Fairuz Zakaria (1964–2021)
• Gamal Abdul Nasir Zakaria (b. 1965)
• Rita Puspa Zakaria (b. 1967)
• Nida Suryani Zakaria (b. 1971)
• Sri Purnama Zakaria (b. 1973)

In 1956, Zainab starred in Tiga Dara as a minor role followed by her last film appearance as Tari Remadja dancer in Asrama Dara (1958) along with Nun Zairina. She later retired and became a homemaker in Bengkalis.

Zainab's later life was marred by illness and disability. She suffered from shortness of breath and cataract, and required support when walking and sometimes used a wheelchair. Her husband died on 1 January 2006 and she then resided as a matriarch along with her unmarried daughter, Nida, and her adoptive daughter, Misnah. Zainab died at her residence in Kelapapati, Bengkalis, on 21 August 2014, due to a heart attack at the age of 78. She was interred beside her husband at Taman Makam Islam Harapan on the same day.