Home ›› 31 Dec 2022 ›› World Biz
The world said a sad farewell to a number of famous and influential people this year, whether well known on the global stage or celebrated in the spheres of their home countries. They will be remembered for their longevity and legacy.
Queen Elizabeth II
April 21, 1926 — September 8, 2022
Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Charles, Princess Anne and the Duke of Edinburgh at Buckingham Palace after the Queen's coronation in June 1953. All photos: PA
Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Charles, Princess Anne and the Duke of Edinburgh at Buckingham Palace after the Queen's coronation in June 1953. All photos: PA
Queen Elizabeth II died of old age at 96. “The queen died peacefully at Balmoral," Buckingham Palace announced.
King Charles III acceded to the throne with his wife, Camilla, becoming Queen Consort.
Queen Elizabeth II acceded to the throne in 1952, and was Britain’s longest-reigning monarch and the world’s longest-serving head of state.
She was the first British monarchto celebrate a platinum jubilee. She died only three months after the national celebrations in June marking her 70 years on the throne.
Born in 1926 to the Duke and Duchess of York, Elizabeth was never meant to become queen. At the age of 12, she was suddenly thrust into the line of succession after her uncle, Edward VIII, abdicated in 1938, and her father, George VI, became king.
Sheikh Khalifa
September 7, 1948 — May 13, 2022
Nasser Al Nowais, chairman of the Rotana Hotel Group, with the late President, Sheikh Khalifa. 'He cared about the well-being of people not only in the UAE, but all over the world,' says Mr Al Nowais. Photo: Nasser Al Nowais
Nasser Al Nowais, chairman of the Rotana Hotel Group, with the late President, Sheikh Khalifa. 'He cared about the well-being of people not only in the UAE, but all over the world,' says Mr Al Nowais. Photo: Nasser Al Nowais
The late President, Sheikh Khalifa, died on May 13 and 40 days of official mourning followed.
Flags were flown at half-mast and ministries and official entities at the federal and local levels, as well as in the private sector, were closed for three days. Events were postponed and music silenced as the nation mourned the loss of their leader.
Sheikh Khalifa was unanimously elected as President on December 3, 2004, one day after the death of UAE Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.
The day after Sheikh Khalifa's death, President Sheikh Mohamed was named as his successor.
Sheikh Khalifa was born in 1948 in Al Muwaiji fort, which had been built two years earlier in the date-palm groves of Al Ain on the instructions of Sheikh Zayed following his appointment as Ruler’s Representative in the Eastern Region.
Sheikh Khalifa was educated at the first local school in Al Ain, which had also been established by his father.
Although he was not called to the highest office until his 57th year, responsibility came early to Sheikh Khalifa when he entered public service on September 18, 1966, aged 18.
Lata Mangeshkar
September 28, 1929 — February 6, 2022
Legendary Bollywood singer Lata Mangeshkar dies at 92. Lata Mangeshkar was one of the most respected singers in India.
With a career spanning 80 years, thousands of songs and an almost uncountable list of honours, Mangeshkar, whose death was confirmed by her sister Usha to the Press Trust India, was one of the greatest artists of her generation. She was 92 and had been in hospital after being diagnosed with Covid-19.
Songs such as Inhi Logon Ne (from the film Pakeezah, 1972), Bahon Mein Chale Aao (Anamika, 1973), Tere Bina Zindagi Se Koi (Aandhi, 1975), Jiya Jale (Dil Se, 1998) and Ek Tu Hi Bharosa (Pukar, 2000), are easily identified as hers, as is Aye Mere Watan Ke Logo, one of India's most popular patriotic songs that Mangeshkar first sang live on India'sRepublic Day in January 1963, in the presence of then prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru.
Mangeshkar recorded thousands of tracks in her career, spanning more than 36 Indian and foreign languages, although she primarily sang in Hindi.
Shane Warne
September 13, 1969 — March 4, 2022
Australian cricketer Shane Warne died aged 52. The former player, one of the finest bowlers of all time, passed away in Thailand from natural causes, according to Thai authorities.
Warne was a larger-than-life character whose 708 Test wickets have been surpassed only by contemporary rival and fellow spinner Muttiah Muralitharan.
Pele
October 23, 1940 — December 29, 2022
Pele dribbles past a defender during a friendly match between Malmo and Brazil, on May 8 1960, in Malmo. Pele scored two goals as Brazil won 7-1. AFP
Brazilian football legend Pele died aged 82 after a lengthy battle with cancer.
Pele, considered one of the greatest footballers of all time, was admitted to the Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo on November 29, to re-evaluate his colon cancer treatment. He was later diagnosed with a respiratory infection, and was under “elevated care” related to “kidney and cardiac dysfunctions”.
His death was confirmed by his daughter and manager.
"Everything we are is because of you. We love you infinitely. Rest in peace," his daughter, Kely Nascimento, wrote on Instagram.
Ivana Trump
February 20, 1949 — July 14, 2022
Ivana Trump speaks at an event in the Oak Room at the Plaza Hotel, New York, in June 2018. AP
Ivana Trump speaks at an event in the Oak Room at the Plaza Hotel, New York, in June 2018. AP
Ivana Trump, the ex-wife of former US president Donald Trump, died at age 73.
She was born in what is now the Czech Republic in 1949. After marriage to a platonic friend granted her Austrian citizenship, she left the communist country for Canada in the early 1970s.
While working as a model in New York City she met Mr Trump and the couple married in 1977. They had three children — Donald Jr, Ivanka and Eric — and divorced in 1992.
Following her marriage, she worked as a senior executive at The Trump Organisation and became involved in real estate and fashion design ventures.
