What Happened This Year 2021

People Who Died in 2021

Lina Wertmüller

Italian director of 7 Beauties
Born
August 14th, 1928 97 years ago
Died
2021 4 years ago — 93 years old

An Italian director and screenwriter, she became prominent in the 1970s, creating films that highlighted social issues and human struggles. Her work often combined satire with poignant themes. She gained international acclaim for directing 'Seven Beauties,' which received multiple Academy Award nominations. She broke ground in the film industry as one of the first women to be nominated for an Oscar for Best Director. Other notable works include 'The Seduction of Mimi' and 'Pasqualino Settebellezze.' Her film style is characterized by bold visual storytelling and strong characterizations.

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Christa Stubnick

German sprinter, Olympic competitor
Born
December 12th, 1933 91 years ago
Died
2021 4 years ago — 88 years old

Competitor in sprinting events during the 1950s and 1960s. Participated in the 1960 Rome Olympics, achieving notable rankings in sprinting disciplines. Achieved success in various national championships and contributed to the development of women's sprinting in Germany.

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Suzanne Zimmerman

Competition swimmer and Olympic medalist
Born
July 13th, 1925 100 years ago
Died
2021 4 years ago — 96 years old

Born in July 1925, this American swimmer specialized in freestyle and backstroke events. Achievements included competing in the 1948 Summer Olympics held in London, where a silver medal was earned in the 100m freestyle. She also participated in the 4x100m freestyle relay, contributing to the team's overall performance. Swimming at the national level prior to the Olympics, strong finishes secured a place in the competitive swimming landscape.

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Buddy Merrill

American guitarist and television performer
Born
July 16th, 1936 89 years ago
Died
2021 4 years ago — 85 years old

A guitarist gained fame as a performer on television, particularly through appearances on 'The Lawrence Welk Show'. His guitar skills included both classical and popular styles, showcasing versatility. Contributions to the music industry included recordings in various genres and collaborations with notable musicians.

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Kurt Westergaard

Cartoonist, creator of Muhammad cartoons
Born
July 13th, 1935 90 years ago
Died
2021 4 years ago — 86 years old

A cartoonist created a series of caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad published in 2005, which sparked international controversy and protests. The cartoons were part of a larger commentary on freedom of expression and artistic license. Throughout the career, focused on political cartoons within Danish media. Faced threats due to the response from various groups regarding the cartoons, leading to personal security challenges and relocation. Continued to advocate for freedom of speech until passing.

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Norm Sherry

Baseball player and manager
Born
July 16th, 1931 94 years ago
Died
2021 4 years ago — 90 years old

Played in Major League Baseball as a catcher, making significant contributions primarily with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Transitioned into coaching and management, notably serving as the manager for the Chicago White Sox. Worked as a coach for several teams, including the California Angels, where developed young talent.

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Fred Cone

American football player, Pro Bowl selection
Born
June 21st, 1926 99 years ago
Died
2021 4 years ago — 95 years old

Played as a placekicker in the National Football League for the Green Bay Packers and the New York Giants. Achieved recognition for proficiency in scoring, particularly in field goals and extra points. Participated in the NFL Pro Bowl, showcasing exceptional skills and contributions on the field. Contributed to his teams with reliable kicking abilities, impacting games throughout his career.

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Carolyn S. Shoemaker

American astronomer and comet discoverer
Born
June 24th, 1929 96 years ago
Died
2021 4 years ago — 92 years old

An American astronomer focused on planetary science and comet discovery. Collaborated with husband, Eugene Shoemaker, on several significant celestial discoveries. Played a crucial role in the identification of impacts on Earth by asteroids and comets. Discovered numerous comets, including Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9, which famously collided with Jupiter in 1994, providing valuable data for understanding cosmic events. Conducted extensive research on the geology of the Moon and Mars, contributing to planetary mapping and geological analysis.

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Mamnoon Hussain

12th President of Pakistan
Born
December 23rd, 1940 84 years ago
Died
2021 4 years ago — 81 years old

Served as the 12th President of Pakistan from 2013 to 2018. Engaged in politics after a successful business career. Joined the Pakistan Muslim League (N) party in the 1960s and held various positions within the party. Elected as President following successful elections held in 2013. His tenure included responsibilities such as overseeing the parliamentary process and representing the nation both domestically and internationally.

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