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Obituaries

Obituaries
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Obituaries. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
Ahn Sung-ki poses on the red carpet during the opening ceremony of the 26th Busan International Film Festival in 2021. Photo: AFP
Asian cinema: Korean films

Korean film icon Ahn Sung-ki remembered: 5 of his best films

Known affectionately as ‘The Nation’s Actor’, South Korea’s Ahn Sung-ki starred in more than 100 feature films during his long career.

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History

Anne Frank’s stepsister, Holocaust survivor Eva Schloss, dies at 96

US Politics

Tatiana Schlossberg, journalist and JFK’s granddaughter, dead at 35

Bangladesh

Former Bangladesh PM Khaleda Zia dies after prolonged illness

Despite her ill health, 80-year-old Zia, a dominant figure in Dhaka’s turbulent power struggles, had vowed to run in next year’s election.

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Bangladesh’s former prime minister Khaleda Zia at a Dhaka rally in 2016. Photo: AFP
Music

The Cure guitarist and keyboard player Perry Bamonte dies aged 65

Bamonte, who became a full member of The Cure in 1990, was initially part of the British Goth rock band’s road crew from 1984.

Singapore

Former Singapore lawyer and human rights activist M Ravi dies

The 56-year-old was a vocal advocate for the LGBTQ community and supported the abolition of the death penalty in the city state.

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Fame and celebrity

Call of Duty co-creator Vince Zampella dies in US car crash

The 55-year-old gaming pioneer was one of two people who died in a crash on a scenic road north of Los Angeles.

Vince Zampella at The Game Awards in Los Angeles on December 11. Photo: EPA
Britain

Chris Rea, UK singer of ‘Driving Home for Christmas’, dead at 74

After a career spanning five decades and 40 million records sold, the Middlesbrough-born musician died in hospital following a short illness.

Fame and celebrity

In memoriam: 29 beloved celebrities we lost in 2025

We remember stars from the worlds of Hollywood, TV, music, fashion and more, from Jane Goodall to Giorgio Armani and Hulk Hogan.

Racism and other prejudice

Christine Choy, who made documentary on racist killing of Vincent Chin, dies at 73

The indie filmmaker brought attention to the 1982 slaying, a galvanising moment in the fight against anti-Asian hate in the US.

Filmmaker Christine Choy attends a screening of “Who Killed Vincent Chin?” at the 59th New York Film Festival in 2021. Photo: Film at Lincoln Centre via AP
Britain

Sophie Kinsella, Shopaholic author, dies at 55 from brain cancer

The celebrated British author wrote over 30 books, and leaves behind a legacy of humour and relatability.

Author Sophie Kinsella poses on Wimbledon Village high street, London in 2004. Photo: AP
Hong Kong society

Robert Ho, Hong Kong journalist, philanthropist and devout Buddhist, dies at 93

Grandson of Robert Ho Tung died peacefully on November 30, notice on Robert H.N. Ho Family Foundation’s website says.

Hong Kong

Renowned British photographer Martin Parr dies at 73

The celebrated photographer documented everything from beach life to global consumerism across a decades-spanning career.

Architecture and design

Frank Gehry, the most celebrated architect of his time, dies at 96

His masterpieces include the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain, the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles and Berlin’s DZ Bank Building.

Frank Gehry poses at the 2023 Los Angeles Philharmonic Gala in October 2023. Photo: AP
Cinema

Oscar-winning UK playwright Tom Stoppard dies aged 88

His work ranges from plays like Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead to the film Shakespeare in Love, which scooped seven Academy Awards.

British playwright Tom Stoppard arrives for the world premiere of “Anna Karenina” in London in September 2012. Photo: AP
Richard Branson

Joan Branson, wife of British billionaire Richard Branson, dies at 80

The Virgin Atlantic founder called his spouse his best friend, rock, and his guiding light in a social media post about her death.

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Americas and the Caribbean

Jimmy Cliff, reggae icon and ‘cultural giant’, dies at 81

The Jamaican singer, along with Bob Marley, popularised reggae, ska and rocksteady. He was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2010.

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Fashion

Paul Costelloe, personal designer to Princess Diana, dies at 80

The Irish designer worked with the British royal from 1983 until her death in Paris in 1997.

Designer Paul Costelloe poses for a photograph on the day of his catwalk show during London Fashion Week in September 2023/ Photo: Reuters
Hong Kong society

Hong Kong toy tycoon Lam Leung-tim, creator of iconic rubber duck, dead at 105

Lam’s family reveals he died on November 10, announces that memorial ceremony will be held on Monday in his ancestral hometown of Foshan.

United States

US disability rights activist and author Alice Wong dies at 51

The daughter of Hong Kong immigrants, Wong fought for a world where people with disabilities could have full autonomy over their lives.

Science

James Watson, co-discoverer of DNA’s double helix shape, dead at 97

His efforts won him a Nobel Prize, but Watson drew condemnation near the end of his life for saying black people were less intelligent.

US biologist James Watson poses for a portrait at an exhibition in Berlin in October 2004. Photo: AP
Science

Lead scientist of China’s thorium reactor project died working on the computer

Death of nuclear physicist Xu Hongjie came just weeks before the project he led achieved a breakthrough in fourth-generation nuclear power.

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Father of China’s thorium reactor, Xu Hongjie, died on September 14. State media said he was working at home when he died. Photo: Handout
Fame and celebrity

US actress Diane Ladd, nominated for 3 Oscars, dies at 89

Ladd’s credits include Chinatown, Primary Colors and Wild at Heart, in which she co-starred with her daughter Laura Dern.

Fame and celebrity

‘Fawlty Towers’ actress Prunella Scales dies peacefully at home at 93

The British actress was watching ‘Fawlty Towers’ the day before she died, just months after her husband of 61 years, actor Timothy West.

Thailand

Thailand’s Queen Mother Sirikit has died at age 93

A beloved royal figure, she backed projects to help the rural poor, protect the forests and support refugees.

Thailand’s Queen Sirikit waves to people during her arrival in Chinatown for Lunar New Year celebrations in Bangkok in January 2012. Photo: Reuters
Japan

Obituary | Japan ex-PM Murayama, who apologised for WWII aggression, dies at 101

In a 1995 statement, Murayama expressed ‘deep remorse’ over Tokyo’s deeds that left a lasting legacy of bitterness with its neighbours.

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Former Japanese prime minister Tomiichi Murayama attends a ceremony to review Japan’s Self-Defence Forces in Tokyo in October 1994. Photo: Kyodo News via AP
Music

Ace Frehley, original Kiss lead guitarist and co-founder, dead at 74

Known by his Kiss alter ego ‘Spaceman’, Frehley helped define the band’s theatrical hard rock sound and iconic look.

First Mention

When rumours swirled around the cause of Cantopop star Danny Chan’s death

Chow Yun-fat, Sally Yeh, Anita Mui and Pansy Ho attended his funeral. It was speculated that attempted suicide, Aids or a drug overdose caused his death.

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