Today's 23 May Famous Deaths in History

King of Germany (1099-1125), Holy Roman Emperor (1111-1125) and the last ruler of the Salian dynasty, dies of cancer in Utrecht at 38 or 43

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  • 1423 Benedict XIII [Pedro de Luna], Spanish Antipope (1394-1423), dies at 94
  • 1482 Mary of York, English princess, daughter of King Edward IV, dies of an illness at 14
  • 1498 Girolamo Savonarola, Italian Dominican friar who helped expel Medici from Florence, becoming the city's de facto ruler (1494-98), and preached against papal corruption, hanged at 45
  • 1523 Ashikaga Yoshitane, 10th Japanese shōgun of the Ashikaga shogunate (1490-3, 1508-21), dies at 56
  • 1524 Ismail I, Shah of Persia, converted Iran from Sunni to Shi'ah, dies at 36
  • 1568 Adolf van Nassau, German son of William I and Juliana of Stolberg, dies in battle at 27
  • 1627 Luis de Gongora, Spanish poet and writer, dies at 65
  • 1648 Luis de Nain, painter, dies
  • 1662 John Gauden, English bishop and writer (b. 1605)
  • 1668 Philips Wouwerman, Haarlems painter, buried
  • 1670 Ferdinando II de' Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany and ruler of Florence, dies of apoplexy and dropsy at 59
  • 1684 Adriaen Backer, Dutch Golden Age portrait painter, buried at about 48
  • 1691 Adrien Auzout, French astronomer who improved measuring instruments (moon crater "Auzout"), dies at 69 [1]
  • 1700 Jens Juel, Danish diplomat and statesman at the Danish-Norwegian court, dies at 68
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  • 1752 William Bradford, English-born printer (Pennsylvania's first printing press), dies at 89
  • 1754 John Wood, architect/town planner, dies
  • 1783 James Otis, American lawyer, dies
  • 1785 William Woollett, engraver, dies
  • 1786 Móric Beňovský, Slovak military officer, explorer and self-declared King of Madagascar, dies of a fatal bullet wound to his chest at 39
  • 1813 Geraud Duroc, French general (b. 1772)
  • 1825 Ras Gugsa of Yejju, Regent of the Emperor of Ethiopia
  • 1834 Charles Wesley, British organist and composer, dies at 76
  • 1838 Jan Willem Janssens, Dutch nobleman, military officer, and Governor-General of Cape colony and Dutch-Indies, dies at 75
  • 1841 Franz Xaver von Baader, German philosopher and theologist, dies at 76
  • 1842 Jose de Espronceda y Delgado, Spanish revolutionary and poet (Cortes), dies of diphtheria at 34
  • 1851 Lucas Pieter Roodbaard, architect, dies at 69
  • 1855 Charles Robert Malden, British naval officer (discoverer of Malden Island, central Pacific), dies at 57
  • 1857 Augustin Louis Cauchy, French mathematician and physicist, dies at 67
  • 1860 Albert Richard Smith, English author, playwright and lecturer (Mount Blanc), who popularized mountaineering, dies at 43
  • 1867 Archibald Alison, Scottish historian, dies at 74

American frontiersman, Indian fighter and army officer, dies of an aortic aneurysm at 58

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  • 1874 Silvain van de Weyer, 1st Belgian foreign minister to Britain, dies at 72
  • 1875 Johann Wilhelm Mangold, German composer, dies at 78
  • 1883 Cyprian Norwid, Polish painter, poet and playwright (Wanda), dies at 61
  • 1885 Carl Baermann, German clarinetist and composer, dies at 74

German historian who founded the modern concept of source-based history, dies at 90

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  • 1887 Ludwig Mathias Lindeman, Norwegian organist, composer, musical folklorist, dies at 74
  • 1891 Ignace Leybach, French pianist and composer, dies at 73
  • 1893 Anton von Schmerling, Austrian statesman, dies at 87
  • 1895 Franz E. Neumann, German mineralogist, mathematician and physicist, dies at 96
  • 1896 Jose Asunción Silva, Colombian poet (Nocturno III), dies at 30
  • 1897 Aleko Konstantinov, Bulgarian writer (To Chicago & Back), dies at 34
  • 1905 Martinus W van AA Meerbeke, head-editor (Time), dies at 75
  • 1905 Mary Ashton Livermore, American social reformer and women's suffrage leader (President of American Woman Suffrage Association 1878-95), dies at 84

Norwegian playwright (A Doll's House, Peer Gynt), dies at 78

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  • 1908 Francois Coppee, French poet, dies at 66
  • 1917 Ranavalona III, Queen of Madagascar (1883-1897) last sovereign of Madagascar, dies in exile in Algeria at 55
  • 1920 Svetozar Boroević, Austro-Hungarian field marshal, dies at 63
  • 1926 Hans Koessler, German composer, conductor and music teacher, dies at 73
  • 1927 Henry Edwards Huntington, American railroad executive (owned Pacific Electric Railway), dies at 77
  • 1930 R. D. Banerji, Indian archaeologist and historian (discovered ancient Indus city of Mohenjo-daro), dies at 45 [1]

American outlaw of Bonnie and Clyde fame, killed in police ambush in Louisiana at 23

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American bank robber and outlaw (Bonnie & Clyde), killed in police ambush in Louisiana at 25

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  • 1940 Paul Nizan, French journalist and writer (Ce Soir/Aden Arabia), dies in combat at 35
  • 1941 Herbert Austin, English automobile designer and builder (founder of Austin Motor Company), dies at 74
  • 1941 Slavko Osterc, Slovenian composer (Iz Satanovega Dnevnika (From Satan's Diary); Illusions), and pedagogue, dies at 45
  • 1943 William Aberhart, Canadian politician, founder of the Alberta Social Credit Party, and seventh premier of Alberta (1935-43), dies at 64 [1]

German Nazi leader (head of the SS), commits suicide while in Allied custody at 44

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  • 1947 Charles-Ferdinand Ramuz, Swiss writer (Le Petit Village), dies at 68
  • 1950 Fred Warngård, Swedish Olympic hammer thrower, bronze medalist (1936), dies at 43
  • 1952 Georg Alfred Schumann, German composer, dies at 85
  • 1954 H R Bromley-Davenport, cricketer (batted in 4 Tests for England), dies
  • 1960 Georges Claude, French engineer and inventor (neon light), dies at 89
  • 1965 David Smith, sculptor, dies
  • 1965 Earl Webb, American baseball outfielder (MLB Record: 67 doubles, single season 1931; Boston Red Sox), dies at 67
  • 1966 Demchugdongrub, Mongolian politician and head of state of Mengjiang (1939-45), dies at 64 [1]
  • 1966 Ruth Gates, American actress (Aunt Jenny-Mama), dies at 79
  • 1967 Carl-Henrik Norin Swedish jazz saxophonist, and composer ("Mississippi Mood"), dies at 47
  • 1967 Ernst Niekisch, German writer and politician, dies at 78
  • 1967 Philip Coolidge, American actor (North by Northwest, North by Northwest, I Want to Live, Tingler), dies of lung cancer at 58
  • 1967 Sanne Sannes, Dutch photographer (An Eye for an Eye, The Women of Sanne Sannes), dies in a car accident at 30 [1]
  • 1968 James Burke, American actor (Ellery Queen, Army Surgeon), dies at 81
  • 1968 Merle Kendrick, orchestra leader (Window on the World), dies at 72
  • 1969 Diane Aubrey, actress (Haunted Strangler), dies of a heart attack at 79
  • 1969 Jimmy McHugh, American composer ("I Can't Give You Anything But Love"; "On the Sunny Side of the Street"; "I'm In The Mood For Love"), dies at 74
  • 1969 Peter Alma, Dutch painter and graphic artist, dies at 83
  • 1970 Nydia Westman, actress (Going My Way, Young Mr Bobbins), dies at 68
  • 1973 Athena Lorde, American actress (Fuzz, Skin Game, Firecreek), dies of cancer at 57
  • 1974 Kathleen Cannell, American fashion and dance writer, dies at 82
  • 1975 Jackie Moms Mabley, American comedian and actress (Amazing Grace), dies at 81
  • 1977 Joe Stydahar, American NFL player and coach (Chicago Bears), dies at 65
  • 1978 Reg Owen [George Owen Smith], British saxophonist, arranger, conductor, and film score composer, dies at 57
  • 1979 Hubert van Doorne, auto manufacturer (DAF Trucks), dies at 79
  • 1981 David Lewis, Canadian labour lawyer and politician (Member of Parliament, 1962-63 & 1965-74), dies of leukemia at 71
  • 1981 George Jessel, American stage and screen actor, singer, producer and host known as "The Toastmaster General", dies of a heart attack at 83
  • 1981 Rayner Heppenstall, English novelist (The Blaze of Noon), dies at 70
  • 1983 Albert Claude, Belgian biologist and physician (Nobel 1974), dies at 84
  • 1986 Peter von Siemens, German industrialist, dies at 75
  • 1986 Sterling Hayden, American actor (Dr Strangelove; Asphalt Jungle, Cobra), dies at 70
  • 1987 Karel Albert, Flemish composer (Marieken van Nymeghen), dies at 86
  • 1988 David Schoenbrun, American journalist (CBS broadcast bureau head), dies at 73
  • 1989 Georgy Tovstonogov, Russian theatre director (b. 1915)
  • 1989 Lindembergue Cardoso, Brazilian composer, and music educator (Brazilian Contemporary Music Ensemble), dies at 49
  • 1991 Jean Van Houtte, Belgian politician (Prime Minister of Belgium, 1952-56; Finance Minister, 1950-52 and 1958-61), dies at 84
  • 1991 Wilhelm Kempff, German pianist and composer (Unter dem Zimbelstern), dies at 95
  • 1991 William Sinnot, Scottish pop musician (Shamen), dies at 30
  • 1992 Atahualpa Yupanqui, Argentine singer, composer, and guitarist, dies at 84
  • 1992 Giovanni Falcone, Italian magistrate, and organized crime prosecutor, assassinated by Sicilian mafia at 53
  • 1993 James Millhollin, actor (Anston Foster-Grindl), dies at 77
  • 1994 Carl Althoff, German circus director, dies at 82
  • 1994 George Metesky, American electrician and mechanic, known as the "Mad Bomber" (planted at least 33 pipe bombs around New York City, 1940-41 and 1951-57), dies at 90
  • 1994 Joe Pass [Passalaqua], American jazz guitarist ("The Trio" with Oscar Peterson; Ella Fitzgerald) and composer, dies from liver cancer at 65
  • 1994 Ray Candy, American professional wrestler, dies from a heart attack at 42
  • 1995 Dan Fortmann, American College/Pro Football HOF guard (3 × NFL C'ship 1940, 41, 43 Chicago Bears; 6 × First-team All-Pro; 3 × Pro Bowl), dies from Alzheimer's disease at 79
  • 1995 Keith Humble, Australian composer, dies at 67
  • 1995 Mick Pyne, British touring and session jazz pianist (Tubby Hayes; Georgie Fame: Charlie Watts), dies at 54
  • 1995 Patricia Ford, Lady Fisher, Irish politician and founder (British Women Caring Trust), dies at 74
  • 1996 "Cap'n Jack" McCarthy, American television broadcaster (NYC's St. Patrick Day Parade, 1949-89; kiddie show host (Popeye)), dies of cancer at 81
  • 1996 Dorothy Hyson, American actress (Ghoul, Spare a Copper, Sing as We Go), dies at 81
  • 1996 Kronid Arkadyevich Lyubarsky, human rights activist, dies at 61
  • 1996 Patrick Cargill, British actor (No Wreath for the General; Hammerhead; Help!), dies of a brain tumor at 77
  • 1996 Rob Hall, New Zealand high altitude climber, dies of exposure on Mount Everest at 35
  • 1996 Scott Fischer, American high altitude climber, dies of exposure on Mount Everest at 40
  • 1997 Lovie Lee [Edward Lee Watson], American electric blues pianist, singer, and songwriter, dies at 88
  • 1998 Andreas Liebenberg, South African military commander, dies at 60
  • 1999 Owen Hart, Canadian-American professional wrestler, dies at 34
  • 2000 Marcus Hutson, American R&B singer (The Whispers - "And the Beat Goes On"; "Rock Steady"), dies of prostate cancer at 57
  • 2001 Alessadro Natta, Italian political leader (Communist Party), dies at 83
  • 2001 Tommy Eyre, British touring and session keyboardist, and musical director (Joe Cocker, Gerry Rafferty, Wham!), dies of esophageal cancer at 51

American golfer (US Masters 1949, 52, 54; British Open 1946; PGA C'ship 1942, 49, 51; Vardon Trophy x 4), dies of a stroke at 89

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  • 2003 Csaba Szabo. Hungarian composer, dies at 67
  • 2003 Edward Boguslawski, Polish composer, dies at 62
  • 2003 Jean Yanne, French actor and director (b. 1933)
  • 2004 Ramon Margalef López, Spanish biologist and ecologist, dies at 85
  • 2005 Roderick Wright, Scottish Bishop of Argyll and the Isles (1990-96), dies at 64
  • 2006 Clifford Antone, American businessman, dies at 56
  • 2006 Frits Bernard, Dutch clinical psychologist and child exploitation activist, dies at 85
  • 2006 Kazimierz Górski, Polish footballer (b. 1921)
  • 2006 Lloyd Bentsen, American politician (Senator-D-Texas, 1971-93, 1989 Democrat VP nominee), dies at 85
  • 2007 Etienne Elias, Flemish painter, dies at 71
  • 2008 (Bruce) "Utah" Phillips, American folk singer-songwriter ("Green Rolling Hills"; "The Goodnight-Loving Trail") storyteller, poet, and labor organizer, dies of heart disease at 73
  • 2008 David Mitton, British television director (b. 1939)
  • 2009 Roh Moo-hyun, South Korean politician (16th President of the Republic of Korea 2003-8), commits suicide at 62
  • 2010 Billy Francis, American keyboardist (Dr. Hook & The Medicine Show - "Cover of the Rolling Stone"), dies at 68
  • 2010 Gane Todorovoski, Macedonian literary critic, poet, & publicist (b. 1929)
  • 2010 José Lima, Dominican right-handed baseball pitcher (Detroit Tigers, Houston Astros; All-Star), dies at 37 likely of cardiac arrhythmia
  • 2010 Leonida Georgievna, Grand Duchess Of Russia (b. 1914)
  • 2010 Simon Monjack, English actor, producer, and writer (b. 1970)
  • 2012 Joseph Lesniewski, American Easy Company, soldier in 101st Airborne, dies at 91
  • 2012 Paul Fussell, American historian, dies from natural causes at 88
  • 2013 Georges Moustaki [Giuseppe Mustacchi], Greek-Egyptian-French singer-songwriter ("Milord"; "Le Métèque"), dies of emphysema at 79
  • 2014 Mona Freeman, American actress, dies at 87
  • 2015 Anne Meara, American comedian and actress (Stiller & Meara, Archie's Place, The Other Woman), mother of Ben Stiller, dies at 85
  • 2015 John Carter, American actor (Scarface, The Hoax; Badlands; Falcon Crest), dies at 87
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  • 2017 Alexander Burdonsky, Russian theater director and Joseph Stalin's grandson, dies at 75
  • 2017 Cortez Kennedy, American NFL defensive tackle (Seattle Seahawks), dies at 48

British actor (The Saint, James Bond), dies at 89

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  • 2018 Glynn Edwards, British television actor (Minder), dies at 87
  • 2018 Homer Neal, African-American particle physicist, dies of a stroke at 75
  • 2018 László Tábori, Hungarian middle/long distance runner (1,500m world record 1955), dies at 86
  • 2020 Eddie Sutton, Basketball Hall of Fame coach (Creighton, Arkansas, Kentucky, Oklahoma State; first coach to take 4 schools to NCAA tournament), dies at 84
  • 2020 Saturn, American-born alligator that escaped Berlin Zoo during WWII, dies at about 84 in Moscow Zoo (Moscow, Russia)
  • 2021 Bob Fulton, Australian rugby league five eighth (35 Tests; Manly, Warrington, Easts; RL "Immortal") and coach (39 Tests Australia; Manly, Easts), dies from cancer at 73
  • 2021 Cristóbal Halffter, Spanish conductor, and composer (Yes, speak out, yes; Lazarus), dies at 91
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  • 2021 Josep Almudéver Mateu, French-Spanish International Brigades volunteer, dies at 101 [1]
  • 2021 Max Mosley, British auto racer and lawyer (President Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile [FIA] 1993-2009), dies from cancer at 81
  • 2021 Paulo Mendes da Rocha, Brazilian architect (Brazilian Museum of Sculpture) and Pritzker Prize winner (2006), dies at 92
  • 2021 Ron Hill, British athlete (Boston Marathon, 1970; Commonwealth Games marathon gold, 1970), dies at 82
  • 2022 Eric Schneider, Dutch actor (Drop Out, Family, Flanagan), dies at 87
  • 2022 Frank Chuman, American lawyer and Japanese American civil rights activist, dies at 105
  • 2022 Wendell, Brazilian soccer goalkeeper (7 caps; Botafogo, Fluminense FC, Santa Cruz FC), dies at 74
  • 2023 (Isaac) "Redd" Holt, American jazz and soul drummer (Ramsey Lewis Trio, 1956-66 - "The In Crowd"; Young-Holt Unlimited - "Soulful Strut"), dies at 91
  • 2023 Cotton Nash, American baseball outfielder (Chicago WS, Minnesota Twins) and basketball small forward (LA Lakers, SF Warriors, Kentucky Colonels), dies at 80
  • 2023 Ingrid Haebler, Austrian pianist (Haydn/Mozart/Schubert), dies at 96
  • 2023 Sheldon Reynolds, American soul and funk guitarist (Commodores, 1983-87; Earth, Wind & Fire, 1987-2002), dies at 63
  • 2024 Caleb Carr, American novelist and military historian (The Angel of Darkness, Killing Time, The Alienist), dies at 68
  • 2024 Morgan Spurlock, American director and documentary producer (Super Size Me), dies of cancer at 53 [1]
  • 2025 Barbara Ferris, British stage and screen actress (Nice Girl Like Me, Having a Wild Weekend), dies at 85 [1]
  • 2025 Mary K. Gaillard, American theoretical physicist and the first woman to join the physics department at the University of California, Berkley, dies at 86 [1]
  • 2025 Mohammed Lakhdar-Hamina, Algerian film director (Chronicles of the Years of Fire, The Winds of the Aures), dies at 91
  • 2025 Pavel Chaloupka, Czech soccer midfielder (20 caps; Bohemians Praha 317 games, Fortuna Düsseldorf, FC Berlin), dies at 66
  • 2025 Sacha Jenkins, American hip-hop journalist, documentarian and co-founder of Ego Trip magazine, dies at 53 due to complications from multiple system atrophy [1]
  • 2025 Sebastião Salgado, Brazilian documentary photographer known for his photos of the Amazon rainforest, dies of leukemia at 81 [1]


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