Touria Chaoui (1936 – 1956) was born in Fez. From a young age, Touria had a passion for anything that flew, sensitive to the slightest sound of an airplane flying over the medina of Fez.
This passion intensified until it was time to take flying lessons. The only flight school was based Tit Mellil in the region of Casablanca. Morocco was under French protectorate at the time, therefore, it was difficult to put a young Moroccan girl in this school, reserved for the elite French living in Morocco. Touria’s luck was her father: Abdelwahed Chaoui, who was one of the first Moroccan French-speaking journalist, but more importantly, was a pioneer in the promotion of Moroccan theater.
French director Andre Zwobada decided to shoot a film in Fez, The Seventh Gate in 1948. It offered Abdelwahed Chaoui a leading role along with Georges Marchal and Maria Casares. Touria also had a role in this film; she was then thirteen years old. Such an environment gave Touria free rein to pursue her vocation as an aviatrix.
In 1952, Touria became the first Moroccan aviatrix at the age of sixteen. She was actually the first aviatrix from the Arab world. Newspapers worldwide have reported the event. Touria received the congratulations of all women’s organizations. She received a signed photo of Jacqueline Auriol, test pilot, and niece of French President, Vincent Auriol. King Mohammed V of Morocco received her at the Palace to congratulate her.
On 1 March 1956, she was murdered at the family home. She was only 19 years.