She was the second wife of King Fuad I. Nazli was born on 25 June 1894 to an Egyptian father and a mother of Turkish, French and Greek origin.

[2][3] Her father was Abdel Rahim Sabri Pasha,[4] Minister of Agriculture and Governor of Cairo, and her mother was Tawfika Sharif Hanim.

After the birth of their only son, Farouk, Nazli was allowed to move into Koubbeh Palace, the official royal residence, with her husband.

Restricted to the palace throughout most of Fuad's reign, Nazli was permitted to attend opera performances, flower shows, and other ladies-only cultural events.

As her upbringing had left her remarkably educated, cultured and emancipated for an Egyptian woman of the time, she found this prescribed existence backward and stifling.

On 13 September 1950 King Farouk deprived the Queen Mother, and her daughter Princess Fathia of their rights and titles.

[11] This was due to latter's marriage, which Nazli supported, but was against Farouk's wishes, to Riyad Ghali Effendi, a Coptic Christian.

[10] In 1955 Nazli purchased, for $63,000, a 28-room mansion in Beverley Hills, where she lived with Fathia, her son-in-law, and their two children, and led an active social life.

[13][10] To meet debt demands, in 1975 Nazli sent her principal jewellery to auction at Sotheby's, including a magnificent art deco tiara (720 diamonds weighing 274 carats) and matching necklace commissioned in 1938 from Van Cleef & Arpels.