In Memoriam: All of the Celebrities, Politicians, and Notable People Who Died in 2018
2018 was a difficult year for celebrity deaths, leading to moments of mass grief and mourning, as evidenced by some of Google’s most popular searches, which this year included Mac Miller, Kate Spade, Stan Lee, and Anthony Bourdain. The world lost towering politicians and revolutionary artists, actors, authors and playwrights this year. Here’s a look back at their obituaries.
Aretha Franklin
Nothing but R-E-S-P-E-C-T for the inimitable “Queen of Soul” and determined voice of the civil rights movement, who died of pancreatic cancer in August at age 76.
Avicii
The superstar Swedish EDM DJ—born Tim Bergling—died in April at age 28. His family later confirmed he committed suicide, saying, “He could not go on any longer.” Crowned the “King of Oontz Oontz Oontz,” Bergling told GQ in 2013 that “you have to engage people. Dancing, smiling . . . . It sounds very abstract, but a great DJ takes his audience on a journey. You want them so into it that they can’t leave.”
Bernardo Bertolucci
The Oscar-winning director of The Last Emperor and Last Tango in Paris died in November. He was 77.
Fans were gutted when the news broke that the visionary author (Kitchen Confidential), journalist (CNN’s Parts Unknown), and chef (most notably, New York’s Les Halles) had taken his own life in Paris in June at age 61. Bourdain’s words of wisdom about food, travel, and life were widely shared after his death, including: “If I’m an advocate for anything, it’s to move. As far as you can, as much as you can. Across the ocean, or simply across the river. Walk in someone else’s shoes or at least eat their food. It’s a plus for everybody.”
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President George H.W. Bush
The 41st President of the United States, former U.S. Representative, World War II Navy pilot, and patriarch of the Bush family died at home, surrounded by family, in November at age 94.
Barbara Bush
The former First Lady who advocated for literacy and Bush family matriarch died at age 92 in April.
Stephen Hawking
Pioneering theoretical physicist and inspiration for the film The Theory of Everything died at age 76 in March.
A warrior against apartheid alongside her husband, Nelson Mandela, Winnie Mandela died after a long illness in April. She was 91.
Robin Leach
The illustrious longtime host of Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous died in August in Vegas. He was 76. “Champagne wishes and caviar dreams . . . .”
Stan Lee
The visionary comic book creator of Spider-Man, Black Panther, X-Men and The Fantastic Four (among many others) died on November 12 at age 95. “He changed the way we look at heroes,” Marvel’s longtime rival, DC Comics, said in a statement.
The long-serving Arizona senator, “maverick,” and former presidential hopeful died of brain cancer at age 81 in August. In what would be his final statement to the public, shortly before his death, McCain said, “I have loved my life, all of it. I have had experiences, adventures and friendships enough for 10 satisfying lives, and I am so thankful. Like most people, I have regrets. But I would not trade a day of my life, in good or bad times, for the best day of anyone else’s.”
The prolific Pittsburgh rapper was only 26 when he was found dead of an accidental overdose in September, leaving the music industry in mourning. “I don’t know what to say,” Chance the Rapper wrote on Twitter. “Mac Miller took me on my second tour ever. But beyond helping me launch my career he was one of the sweetest guys I ever knew.”
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Dolores O’Riordan
Women of the ’90s returned to The Cranberries’ megahits, like “Linger” and “Zombie,” after the band’s piercing Irish front woman died in London in January. She was 46.
Philip Roth
The risk-taking American novelist behind iconic American novels like Portnoy’s Complaint and the Pulitzer Prize winner for American Pastoral died at age 85 in April.
Kate Spade
The designer who left an indelible mark on so many women through her namesake handbags and fashion and accessories brand was found dead from suicide in June. She was 55.
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Burt Reynolds
The quintessential leading man and sex symbol (see: that saucy Cosmopolitan cover) died in September. He was 82.
Neil Simon
A pivotal, Pulitzer-winning playwright who gave American theatre such classics as The Odd Couple and Barefoot in the Park, Simon died in August at age 91.
