A trend-setter of Malaysian entertainment from the late ‘50s through the early ‘80s, Saloma recorded over 500 songs, and through her charismatic film work she paved the way for future generations of female actors in her country.

On this day in 1978, she made history when she was awarded Malaysia’s first Biduanita Negara (National Songbird) by the Malaysian government of the time, said Google in a statement.

Saloma was born Salmah Ismail in Singapore on Jan 22, 1932, and first started to explore her skills as a vocalist at just seven years old. She began to sing professionally in her teens, starting her music career through performances at nightclubs and weddings.

Once she transitioned to acting by the mid ‘50s, Saloma quickly became a celebrity figure. In 1961, she married fellow multi-hyphenate entertainment icon P.Ramlee, and over the years that followed, the legendary power couple forever altered Malaysian entertainment through music and film, the statement said.

Sporting her signature coiffed hairdo and inimitable clothing (much of which she sewed herself), Saloma starred in movies throughout the ‘60s and released albums for the rest of her life.

“Thank you, Saloma, for using your artistic gifts to inspire women in Malaysia and beyond to be themselves,” said Google.