Born in 1931 in Kut, Baghdad, the late artist Zainab grew up in a large family amid political tensions. Her household reflected diverse political affiliations, with one brother in the Independence Party and another a communist, while her father was religious and tolerant.

Embracing her brother's communist ideals, Zainab faced challenges in her teaching career due to political opposition. Dismissed in 1953, she returned to work in 1958 after the political landscape changed. Zainab married Nouri Akbar, her fellow student, and began her artistic journey in cinema and later theater.

Her groundbreaking play, "I Am Your Mother, Shaker," performed by the Modern Art Theater Group, set a record for the longest-running play in Iraq. Zainab gained rapid recognition, surpassing her peers. After the 1963 coup, she went into hiding in Kurdistan until 1964 and returned to Baghdad, facing personal and economic hardships.

Zainab continued her artistic career, marrying Latif Saleh in the early 1970s. In 1979, they left Iraq, living in exile across various countries. She passed away in Sweden in 1998, leaving behind a legacy of notable works like "I Am Your Mother, Shaker," "The Uncle Vanja," "The Donkey Complex," and others.