One would have to go back hundreds of years to find a monarch who reigned longer than Queen Elizabeth II.
In her 70 years on the throne, she helped modernise the monarchy across decades of enormous social change, royal marriages and births, and family scandals. For most Britons, she was the only monarch they had ever known.
Her death in September was arguably the most high-profile death this year, prompting a collective outpouring of grief and respect for her steady leadership as well as some criticism of the monarchy’s role in colonialism. She likely met more people than anyone in history, and her image — on stamps, coins and banknotes — was among the most reproduced in the world.
Other world leaders who died in 2022 include former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, who died in August. His efforts to revitalise the Soviet Union led to the collapse of communism there and the end of the Cold War. He eventually resigned after an attempted coup, just as republics declared independence from the Soviet Union.
The year also saw the assassination of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who was fatally shot during a campaign speech in July.
Here are some other political figures who died this year:
Former US Secretary of State Madeleine AlbrightFormer Northern Ireland First Minister David TrimbleFormer Chinese President Jiang ZeminFormer Ukrainian President Leonid KravchukFormer Mexico President Luis EcheverriaFormer Peru President Francisco Morales BermudezCuban diplomat Ricardo Alarc?n,Former US Senator Orrin G HatchFormer Angolan President Jos? Eduardo dos SantosFormer US Defense Secretary Ash Carter.
Among the entertainers who died this year was groundbreaking actor Sidney Poitier, who played roles with such dignity that it helped change the way Black people are portrayed on screen. Poitier, who died in January, became the first Black actor to win the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in the 1963 film ‘Lilies of the Field.’
Others in the world of arts and entertainment who died in 2022 include:
Director Jean-Luc GodardFilmmaker Ivan ReitmanVisual artists Paula Rego and Carmen HerreraFashion designers Vivienne Westwood, Issey Miyake and Hanae MoriFashion editor Andr? Leon TalleyCountry singers Loretta Lynn and Naomi JuddRock star Meat LoafFleetwood Mac singer-songwriter Christine McVieFoo Fighters drummer Taylor HawkinsDepeche Mode keyboardist Andy ‘Fletch’ FletcherBollywood singer and composer Bappi Lahiri Singer-actors Olivia Newton-John and Irene Cara’Sesame Street’ actor Bob McGrathJazz pianist Ramsey LewisRappers Coolio and TakeoffSingers Ronnie Spector, Judith Durham, Lata Mangeshkar and Gal CostaActors Angela Lansbury, Leslie Jordan, Bob Saget, Tony Dow, Kirstie Alley, Nichelle Nichols, Ray Liotta, Irene Papas, Sally Kellerman, Anne Heche, Bernard Cribbins, Yvette Mimieux and June Brown.
_______
By BERNARD McGHEE Associated Press
