Final Regret — Why Omar Sharif Never Met Shunned Estranged Son, 'Died Virtually Alone'
July 15 2015, Published 7:03 a.m. ET
Omar Sharif's last wish to meet the estranged son he never knew tragically slipped through the actor's hands when he died on July 10 of a heart attack at age 83.
"For the longest time, Omar wanted nothing to do with Reuben," a friend of the star told The National ENQUIRER. "He eventually softened his stance and wanted his son to become a part of his life. But by then, it was too late — as Alzheimer's had destroyed him."
In 1982, The ENQUIRER revealed that Sharif had sired Reuben Sharif, now 45, out of wedlock with Italian journalist Paola de Luca.
"Omar has never given a penny to support his son," de Luca said at the time the report surfaced.
Sharif, who also had a son named Tarek from his first marriage to Faten Hamama, refused to acknowledge Reuben, blasting in the late '90s: "The boy looks exactly like me, but his mother used me as a sperm donor!"
"In the end, Omar died virtually alone — and never saw the one person that he wanted to see again!" said the source.
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