From the founder of the Wagner band to the star of one of the most successful sitcoms of all time, from the former prime minister of Italy, who was often in the spotlight due to his sentences and scandals, to the former US Secretary of State, who was the focus of criticism for controversial decisions that shaped world politics, this year was marked by the deaths of many well-known people.
fikrikadim editors compiled a list of prominent figures from the world of politics, art and science who passed away in 2023.
Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi died on June 12 at San Raffaele Hospital, where he was hospitalized for the third time this year with chronic leukemia.
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The 86-year-old Berlusconi, who is recorded as the “longest serving prime minister in Italy by leading 4 different governments between 1994 and 2011”, frequently came to the agenda with his polemics with his political rivals, sex scandals, corruption allegations and sentences he received during his prime ministership.
– YEVGENII PRIGOGYN
Yevgeniy Prigojin, the founder of the Russian paramilitary group Wagner, which operates in many crisis zones from Africa to the Middle East, died in a plane crash on August 23.
In June, Prigojin, whose name is often in the public eye because of Wagner’s active role in the Russian-Ukrainian War, rebelled against Moscow’s leadership, accusing the Russian army of organizing an attack on Wagner.
The plane crash that killed Prigojin exactly two months after the uprising was claimed to have been caused by a bomb explosion, but doubts remain as to whether the crash was sabotage.
– HENRY KINSINGER
Former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, born to Jewish parents who fled Nazi Germany, died on November 29.
Criticized for controversial decisions that shaped world politics, such as the dropping of cluster bombs on Cambodia and the invasion of southern Vietnam in 1970, Kissinger died at the age of 100, leaving behind many atrocities and deaths that he condoned or authorized.
– LI KI CHIANG
Former Chinese Premier Li Kuchiang, who served between 2013 and 2023, died on October 27 due to a heart attack.
Considered one of the leading figures in Chinese politics, Li played an important role in the day-to-day management of the economy, the promotion of the private sector, structural reforms and the implementation of emergency economic measures during the Covid-19 period.
– SHEIKH NAWWAF AL-AHMAD AL-JABIR AL-SABAH
Sheikh Nawwaf al-Ahmad al-Jabir al-Sabah, considered the spiritual father of the security forces in Kuwait and the real founder of the Ministry of Interior, died on December 16.
After serving as Crown Prince for 14 years, Sheikh Nawwaf became Emir of Kuwait upon the death of his predecessor, Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah, on September 29, 2020.
– MATTHEW PERRY
Matthew Perry, 54-year-old US actor Matthew Perry, who is remembered for his role as “Chandler Bing” in the TV series “Friends”, died on October 28.
It was determined that the death of Perry, who was nominated for the Emmy award, which is described as the “Oscars of Television” in the USA, was caused by the effects of ketamine used for anesthetic purposes.
– SINEAD O’CONNOR
The 56-year-old Irish singer, who was known as Sinead O’Connor and took the name Shuheda after converting to Islam, died on July 26.
The famous singer, who gained worldwide fame in the 90s with the song “Nothing Compares 2 U” and made a name for herself with her solo albums as well as charity concerts, announced in 2018 that she had converted to Islam.
– TINA TURNER
Known for her powerful voice and stage performances, US singer Tina Turner, nicknamed the “Queen of Rock and Roll”, died on May 24.
Throughout his professional life, Turner made a name for himself with the unique works he brought to the world of music and became one of the most inspiring artists of the era with his hits.
– KENZABURO OE
Nobel Prize-winning author Kenzaburo Oe, known in Japan for his advocacy of a peaceful constitution and opposition to nuclear power, died on March 3.
Oe, whose works often include the feelings of the generation that grew up after the Second World War, has gained a unique place in Japanese literature with his strong social and political criticism.
Oe was also awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1994, becoming the second Japanese writer to receive this award.
– MILAN KUNDERA
Czech-born French writer Milan Kundera, who brought many works to the world of literature, especially his novel “The Unbearable Lightness of Being”, died on July 11.
Considered one of the 20th century’s most important writers, Kundera became one of the most recognized names in the literary world with his novels, short stories, essays and poems.
– FRANK BORMAN
Retired astronaut Frank Borman, who took part in the first mission to orbit the Moon, died on November 7.
Borman, who was called “one of NASA’s best” by US Aeronautics and Space Agency (NASA) President Bill Nelson, served on the Apollo 8 and Gemini 7 space shuttles.
In December 1968, the Apollo 8 space shuttle carrying astronauts Frank Borman, James Lovell and William Anders orbited the Moon 10 times.
