Born in Negri Sembilan, Malaysia, Umi Khalthum was spotted by a talent scout in Selangor who recommended her to Ho Ah Loke, the co-founder of Cathay-Keris Productions. Ho brought her to Singapore where she was trained as an actress by her husband-to-be, S. Roomai Noor. Umi went on to have a successful acting career, starring in such hit films as ‘Bawang Putih, Bawang Merah’ (1959) and ‘Badang’ (1962). She is the mother of famous Malaysian actress Noor Kumalasari and the stepmother of singer Anita Sarawak. She was married to S. Roomai Noor until his death in 1996.
