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Obituaries

Obituaries
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Obituaries. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
last updated:
9 September, 2024
Manmohan Singh in 2013. The former prime minister of India died on Thursday at the age of 92. Photo: Reuters
India

Manmohan Singh, India’s ‘reluctant prime minister’, dies at 92

The first Sikh in office, Singh is credited with steering India to economic growth and lifting hundreds of millions out of dire poverty.

Fame and celebrity

21 celebrities who died in 2024, from O.J. Simpson to Liam Payne

Americas and the Caribbean

Suriname ex-dictator and fugitive Desi Bouterse dead at 79

Science

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

Zhang, 62, a pioneer in China’s space weather sector, is remembered for his outstanding contribution to monitoring and warning technology.

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Zhang Xiaoxin, who died on Sunday, was a pioneer in China’s space weather sector and left a mark in space, aviation and communications and China’s serviced space missions. Photo: Handout
Spain

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

The 71-year-old, one of the richest people in Spain, is said to have been hiking in the mountains near Barcelona at the time of the accident.

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’.

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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.

John Alfred Tinniswood, the world’s oldest man, said his secret to a long life is luck, regular exercise - and fish and chips every Friday. Photo: Guinness World Records/AP
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.

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.

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.

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Japanese poet Shuntaro Tanikawa pictured in 2007. He was also known for his translations of the American cartoon strip “Peanuts”. Photo: Kyodo
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.

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Liang Guanglie, who died on Tuesday, was China’s defence minister from 2008 to 2013. Photo: Reuters
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.

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.

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.

Po Chung, then chairman of DHL International, with the Hong Kong Business Awards trophy the company won in 1992. Photo: SCMP Pictures
Fame and celebrity

American music titan Quincy Jones dead at 91

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

Music producer Quincy Jones in 2018. Photo: Invision via AP
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.

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.

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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.

James Sung, the founding director of the Hong Kong Progress and Perfection Research Institute, is known for his political commentary and op-ed articles. Photo: Winson Wong
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’.

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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.

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.

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Liam Payne in 2019. The Former One Direction singer was found dead at 31 on Wednesday after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires. Photo: AP
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.

Scotland’s former First Minister Alex Salmond attends a campaign event in Ellon, Scotland, in April 2021. Photo: Reuters
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.

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.

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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.

Wu Bangguo, the former head of China’s top legislature, has died in Beijing, according to state media. Photo: Robert Ng
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.

Kris Kristofferson in 2017. File photo: AFP
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.

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.

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