TOPIC

Obituaries

Obituaries
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Obituaries. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
last updated:
9 September, 2024
Suriname’s President Desi Bouterse attends a meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing in November 2019. Photo: AFP
Americas and the Caribbean

Suriname ex-dictator and fugitive Desi Bouterse dead at 79

The former leader was convicted of executing political opponents but refused to turn himself in and lived out his life in hiding.

Science

Chinese space defence expert Zhang Xiaoxin dies in car crash in Beijing

videocam
11
Spain

Founder of Spain’s Mango fashion chain dies after falling in ravine: reports

Chinese culture

Obituary | Chiung Yao, Taiwanese romance novelist, dies aged 86

Writer known for novels including My Fair Princess reportedly leaves suicide note saying ‘I choose this way to go home gracefully’.

8
Taiwanese romance novelist Chiung Yao, who has died at the age of 86. Photo: Weibo/@会火
Britain

World’s oldest man, John Tinniswood, dies in England at 112

The British centenarian, born the same year the Titanic sank in 1912, attributed his longevity to “pure luck” and moderation.

Books and literature

Yeh Chia-ying, China’s ‘daughter of poetry’, dies at the age of 100

Literary scholar is remembered for her passion for classical Chinese poetry and charisma that inspired generations of writers and students.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Britain

UK’s John Prescott, deputy PM to Tony Blair, dead at 86

Prescott served for 10 years as Blair’s deputy following Labour’s landslide 1997 general election win.

Former deputy prime minister John Prescott in 2012. File photo: Reuters
Japan

Pioneering Japanese poet known for Peanuts and Astro Boy dies at 92

Shuntaro Tanikawa explored the poetic, not only in the repetitive music of the spoken word but also the magic hidden in little things.

videocam
China’s Communist Party

Former Chinese defence minister and military leader Liang Guanglie dies aged 83

As well as conducting negotiations with Obama administration and military leadership, Liang wrote about campaigns around Taiwan.

videocam
Malaysia

Malaysia’s former finance minister Daim Zainuddin dies at 86

The tycoon and key ally of ex-PM Mahathir Mohamad had spent his final years under scrutiny from anti-corruption investigators.

Daim Zainuddin, then a Malaysian government adviser, arrives at China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Beijing in 2018. Photo: AFP
Hong Kong property

Lui Che-woo, property and casino magnate of K. Wah and Galaxy, dies at 95

Lui, the chairman of the K. Wah Group of companies, died peacefully on November 7, according to filings to the Hong Kong stock exchange by his companies.

Lui Che-woo, the founder and chairman of K. Wah Group, during an interview in North Point, Hong Kong on 24 July 2017. Photo: David Wong
Hong Kong society

Opinion | Remembering Po Chung, a true Hong Kong luminary

The DHL International co-founder was a passionate painter, philanthropist and educator, who had been awarded an OBE and the Silver Bauhinia Star.

Fame and celebrity

American music titan Quincy Jones dead at 91

Jones’ career spanned decades, leaving an indelible mark on American music and entertainment.

Fame and celebrity

Recap | Teri Garr, Phil Lesh and Liam Payne just some of those we lost in October

An Oscar nominee, a legendary rock band bassist and the singer mother of superstar Whitney Houston were just a few of the giants from the world of entertainment who passed away last month.

American actress Teri Garr, pictured here in 1987, whose hit films include Tootsie, Young Frankenstein and Close Encounters of the Third Kind, has died at the age of 79. Photo: AP
Fame and celebrity

Tootsie and Young Frankenstein actress Teri Garr dies at age 79

The Oscar-nominated actress also appeared in Spielberg’s Close Encounters of the Third Kind, and on TV series like Star Trek and Batman.

Actress Teri Garr arrives for an event in Los Angeles in May 2012. Photo: Reuters
Hong Kong politics

Obituary | James Sung, veteran Hong Kong political scientist and commentator, dies at 71

Sung held leadership roles in academia for most of his career and founded the Hong Kong Progress and Perfection Research Institute.

Music

Phil Lesh, co-founder of the Grateful Dead, dies at 84

The innovative bassist co-wrote some of the California rock band’s most notable, jam-worthy tracks, including ‘Dark Star’ and ‘St Stephen’.

videocam
Advertisement
Advertisement
Turkey

Fethullah Gulen, US-based cleric accused of orchestrating a Turkish coup, dead at 83

Gulen, who had been living in self-imposed exile since 1999, had long denied involvement in the 2016 coup bid against Erdogan’s government.

US-based Turkish cleric Fethullah Gulen in 2017. File photo: Reuters
Fame and celebrity

One Direction’s Liam Payne falls to death at Argentina hotel

The 31-year-old UK singer, a former member of the bestselling boy band, had fallen from the third floor of a building in Buenos Aires.

videocam
Britain

Alex Salmond, ex-first minister who sought Scotland’s independence, dies at 69

As Scottish National Party leader, he led the independence campaign in the 2014 referendum, but lost with 45 per cent of the vote.

India

Ratan Tata, former chairman of India’s Tata Group, dies at age 86

The Cornell graduate who put the giant conglomerate on the global stage had been undergoing intensive care in a Mumbai hospital.

Ratan Tata, chairman emeritus of Tata Sons, attends an event where he was inducted into the 2015 Automotive Hall of Fame in Detroit, Michigan, in July 2015. Photo: Reuters
Singapore

Lee Wei Ling, daughter of Singapore’s Lee Kuan Yew, dies at 69

Brother and former PM Lee Hsien Loong posted a heartfelt message about his sister’s death, lamenting ‘shadow’ that had come between siblings.

5
Lee Wei Ling in her younger years, in a picture shared by her brother Lee Hsien Yang announcing her death. Photo: Facebook/LeeHsienYang
China’s Communist Party

Wu Bangguo, formerly China’s No 2 official, dies at age 83

Once one of China’s most powerful men, Wu is best remembered for his strong opposition to the Western political system.

Fame and celebrity

Kris Kristofferson, American country music star and actor, dead at 88

Kris Kristofferson became one of the most influential American singer-songwriters of his time and a successful actor.

Fame and celebrity

Beverly Hills Cop actor John Ashton dead at 76

John Ashton played detective John Taggart alongside Eddie Murphy’s Axel Foley in the Beverly Hills Cop films.

John Ashton arrives at the premiere of Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F in June. The actor has died at the age of 76. Photo: Invision via AP
Fame and celebrity

Tito Jackson, member of the Jackson 5 and Michael’s brother, dead at 70

Tito Jackson was an original member of the family group The Jackson 5, along with brothers Jackie, Jermaine, Marlon and Michael.

Tito Jackson, a member of the famed Jackson 5, in 2019. File photo: Invision via AP
Performing arts in Hong Kong

Obituary | How Hong Kong’s Queen of Drag was ‘a rainbow over Victoria Harbour’

Rye Bautista mesmerised Hong Kong audiences as the irreverent, irresistible drag queen La Chiquitta. She died aged 43 on August 28.

Fame and celebrity

James Earl Jones, acclaimed actor and voice of Darth Vader, dead at 93

The multi-award-winning actor was a dominating presence whether on stage, on screen or merely by sound.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.
SUPPORT NOW
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement