Deaths in 2010 facts for kids

In 2012, many famous and important people from around the world passed away. This article helps us remember some of them and what they were known for. They were people who made a big impact in areas like music, movies, sports, science, and politics.

Remembering Notable People from January

Josef Skvorecky was a Czech writer and publisher.

Etta James was a powerful American singer.

Theodoros Angelopoulos was a Greek movie director.

January saw the passing of several influential figures. On January 1, Kiro Gligorov, who was 94, passed away. He was a former President of the Republic of Macedonia. Also on this day, Bob Anderson, an 89-year-old English fencer, known for choreographing sword fights in movies, died.

Later in the month, on January 3, Josef Skvorecky, an 87-year-old Czech writer and publisher, passed away. He was known for his literary works. On January 5, Frederica Sagor Maas, an American screenwriter and playwright, passed away at the age of 111.

The music world lost Etta James, a famous American singer, on January 20. She was 73 and known for her powerful voice. On January 24, Theodoros Angelopoulos, a 76-year-old Greek movie director and screenwriter, died after an accident.

Remembering Notable People from February

Wislawa Szymborska, a Nobel Prize-winning poet.

Whitney Houston, a global music icon.

Davy Jones, a singer and actor from The Monkees.

February marked the passing of more well-known individuals. On February 1, Wislawa Szymborska, an 88-year-old Polish poet, passed away. She was a winner of the 1996 Nobel Prize in Literature. Also on this day, Don Cornelius, an American game show host famous for Soul Train, died at 75.

A major loss in the music industry was Whitney Houston, who passed away on February 11 at 48. She was an American singer and actress, known for her incredible vocal talent.

Towards the end of the month, on February 29, Davy Jones, a 66-year-old British actor and musician from the band The Monkees, passed away.

Remembering Notable People from March

Jean Giraud, a famous French comic book artist.

Alexander Arutunian, an Armenian composer.

March saw the departure of creative minds and leaders. On March 1, Lucio Dalla, a 68-year-old Italian singer-songwriter, passed away.

On March 10, Jean Giraud, a 73-year-old French comic book artist and writer, also known as Moebius, died. His unique art style influenced many. On the same day, Frank Sherwood Rowland, an 84-year-old American chemistry professor and Nobel Prize winner, passed away.

Later in the month, on March 14, Censu Tabone, the 98-year-old 4th President of Malta, passed away. On March 18, George Tupou V, the 63-year-old King of Tonga, died.

The music world lost Alexander Arutunian, a 91-year-old Armenian composer, on March 28.

Remembering Notable People from April

Mike Wallace, a well-known American journalist.

Ahmed Ben Bella, the first President of Algeria.

Dick Clark, a beloved American radio and TV personality.

April brought the passing of several notable figures. On April 1, Miguel de la Madrid, the 77-year-old 52nd President of Mexico, passed away.

On April 5, Bingu wa Mutharika, the 78-year-old President of Malawi, died. Also on this day, Ferdinand Alexander Porsche, a 76-year-old German automobile designer, known for his work with Porsche, passed away.

A giant in American journalism, Mike Wallace, passed away on April 7 at 93. He was a famous journalist and television personality. On April 11, Ahmed Ben Bella, the 93-year-old first post-independence President of Algeria, died.

Another beloved television personality, Dick Clark, passed away on April 18 at 82. He was an American radio and television host, famous for American Bandstand.

Remembering Notable People from May

Donna Summer, the "Queen of Disco."

Robin Gibb, a member of the Bee Gees.

May saw the loss of many talented individuals. On May 4, Adam Yauch, a 47-year-old American musician from the Beastie Boys, passed away.

On May 8, Maurice Sendak, an 83-year-old American children's writer and illustrator, known for Where the Wild Things Are, passed away.

The music world lost another icon on May 17 with the passing of Donna Summer, a 63-year-old American disco singer. She was known as the "Queen of Disco." On May 20, Robin Gibb, a 62-year-old British musician from the Bee Gees, also passed away.

Remembering Notable People from June

Ray Bradbury, a legendary science fiction writer.

Ann Rutherford, an American actress.

Nils Karlsson, a Swedish cross-country skier.

June included the passing of several creative and athletic figures. On June 2, Kathryn Joosten, a 72-year-old American television actress, passed away.

A legendary American writer and screenwriter, Ray Bradbury, passed away on June 5 at 91. He was known for his science fiction and fantasy stories.

On June 11, Ann Rutherford, a 94-year-old Canadian-born American actress, passed away. On June 16, Nils Karlsson, a 94-year-old Swedish cross-country skier, also died.

A unique loss occurred on June 24 with the passing of Lonesome George, a Pinta Island tortoise, believed to be around 100 years old. He was the last known survivor of his sub-species.

Remembering Notable People from July

Andy Griffith, a beloved American actor.

Ernest Borgnine, an Academy Award-winning actor.

Sally Ride, the first American woman in space.

Tony Martin, an American singer and actor.

Gore Vidal, a prominent American writer.

July saw the passing of many well-known personalities. On July 3, Andy Griffith, an 86-year-old American actor, famous for The Andy Griffith Show, passed away.

On July 8, Ernest Borgnine, a 95-year-old American actor, known for his long career in movies and television, died.

A significant loss for science and exploration was Sally Ride, who passed away on July 23 at 61. She was an American astronaut and astrophysicist, famous for being the first American woman in space.

On July 24, John Atta Mills, the 68-year-old President of Ghana, passed away. Also on this day, Sherman Hemsley, a 74-year-old American actor known for his roles in sitcoms, died.

The month ended with the passing of Gore Vidal, an 86-year-old American writer, on July 31. He was known for his essays, novels, and plays.

Remembering Notable People from August

Bernard Lovell, a British physicist and radio astronomer.

Meles Zenawi, the Prime Minister of Ethiopia.

Neil Armstrong, the first person to walk on the Moon.

Carlo Maria Martini, an Italian cardinal.

August included the passing of several important figures. On August 6, Bernard Lovell, a 98-year-old British physicist and radio astronomer, passed away. He was known for his work with the Jodrell Bank Observatory.

On August 13, Helen Gurley Brown, a 90-year-old American writer and publisher, known for her work with Cosmopolitan magazine, passed away.

A major global figure, Meles Zenawi, the 57-year-old Prime Minister of Ethiopia, passed away on August 20.

The world mourned the loss of Neil Armstrong, the 82-year-old American astronaut and the first person to walk on the Moon, who passed away on August 25. His journey was a historic moment for humanity.

Remembering Notable People from September

Michael Clarke Duncan, an American actor.

Christopher Stevens, a U.S. diplomat.

Hebe Camargo, a Brazilian actress and singer.

September saw the passing of several well-known personalities. On September 1, Hal David, a 91-year-old American songwriter, known for many hit songs, passed away. Also on this day, Michael Clarke Duncan, a 54-year-old American actor, known for his roles in movies like The Green Mile, passed away.

A tragic event occurred on September 11 with the deaths of Christopher Stevens, the 52-year-old U.S. Ambassador to Libya, and other American diplomats and security officers. They died in an attack in Benghazi, Libya.

On September 25, Andy Williams, an 84-year-old American singer and entertainer, known for his smooth voice and Christmas specials, passed away.

Towards the end of the month, on September 29, Hebe Camargo, an 83-year-old Brazilian actress, singer, and television presenter, passed away.

Remembering Notable People from October

Stanford R. Ovshinsky, an American inventor.

George McGovern, an American politician.

Russell Means, a Native American activist and actor.

October marked the passing of several important figures. On October 1, Eric Hobsbawm, a 95-year-old British historian, passed away.

On October 9, Paddy Roy Bates, a 91-year-old British radio broadcaster and founder of the Sealand micronation, passed away.

A significant loss for inventors and scientists was Stanford R. Ovshinsky, who passed away on October 17 at 89. He was an American inventor known for his work in energy and information technologies.

On October 21, George McGovern, a 90-year-old American politician and former U.S. Senator, passed away. He was a presidential candidate in 1972. Also on this day, Yash Chopra, an 80-year-old Indian movie director and producer, passed away.

On October 22, Russell Means, a 72-year-old Native American activist, writer, and actor, passed away. He was a prominent voice for Native American rights.

Remembering Notable People from November

Larry Hagman, a famous American actor.

Zig Ziglar, an American writer and speaker.

November saw the passing of more well-known individuals. On November 5, Elliott Carter, a 103-year-old American composer, passed away.

On November 6, Maxim of Bulgaria, the 98-year-old Patriarch of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, passed away.

A beloved American actor, Larry Hagman, passed away on November 23 at 81. He was widely known for his role as J.R. Ewing in the television series Dallas.

Towards the end of the month, on November 28, Zig Ziglar, an 86-year-old American writer, speaker, and salesman, passed away. His motivational messages inspired many.

Remembering Notable People from December

Oscar Niemeyer, a celebrated Brazilian architect.

Daniel Inouye, a long-serving U.S. Senator.

Jack Klugman, an American actor.

Charles Durning, an American actor.

December marked the final notable passings of 2012. On December 5, Dave Brubeck, a 91-year-old American jazz pianist and composer, passed away. Also on this day, Oscar Niemeyer, a 104-year-old Brazilian architect, known for his modern designs, died.

On December 9, Patrick Moore, an 89-year-old English astronomer and broadcaster, known for making astronomy popular, passed away. Also on this day, Jenni Rivera, a 43-year-old American-Mexican singer and actress, died in a plane crash.

A long-serving American politician, Daniel Inouye, passed away on December 17 at 88. He was a United States Senator for Hawaii.

Towards the end of the year, on December 24, two well-known American actors passed away: Charles Durning, 89, and Jack Klugman, 90. Both had long and successful careers in movies and television.

On December 26, Gerry Anderson, an 83-year-old British writer, director, and producer, known for his work with puppet animation, passed away.

Finally, on December 27, Norman Schwarzkopf, Jr., a 78-year-old American general, known for his leadership during the Gulf War, passed away.Lists of deaths by year#2012