Pope Francis To Charlie Kirk: Famous Personalities We Lost In 2025
2025 was a year of significant farewells. Across politics, spirituality, science, business, and sports, the world lost some of its most influential figures. From global icons to legendary Indian personalities, these leaders left lasting legacies that shaped history. Here’s a roundup of the most notable figures who passed away this year.
Dharmendra (1935–2025)
Veteran Bollywood actor Dharmendra passed away on November 24 at the age of 89 in Mumbai after a brief illness. Admitted to Breach Candy Hospital on October 31 for breathlessness, Dharmendra’s cinematic journey began in 1960 with Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere. His final film, Sriram Raghavan’s Ikkis, set to release on January 1, 2026, will mark his last appearance on the big screen.
Pope Francis (1936–2025)
Pope Francis, the head of the Roman Catholic Church, died on April 21 at 88, following a cerebral stroke. The first Latin American and Jesuit pope, he was celebrated for his focus on the poor and reform efforts within the Church. A papal conclave convened after his death, leading to the election of Pope Leo XIV.
Charlie Kirk (1993–2025)
American political activist Charlie Kirk was tragically shot while speaking at Utah Valley University on September 10 and died at the age of 31. An ally of former US President Donald Trump, Kirk was described by Trump as a “martyr.”
Shivraj Patil (1935–2025)
Senior Congress leader Shivraj Patil passed away on December 12 at 90 in Latur, Maharashtra. A former Union Home Minister and Lok Sabha Speaker, he also served as Governor of Punjab and Administrator of Chandigarh during his illustrious political career.
Jane Goodall (1934–2025)
Renowned British primatologist Jane Goodall, aged 91, died on October 1 in California. Known for her groundbreaking studies of wild chimpanzees in Tanzania, Goodall inspired global conservation efforts and transformed scientific understanding of animal behaviour.
Satyapal Malik (1946–2025)
Former Governor Satyapal Malik died on August 5 at the age of 79 in New Delhi. He served as Governor of Jammu & Kashmir during the abrogation of Article 370 and held gubernatorial roles in Meghalaya, Goa, Bihar, and Odisha.
Indian-British billionaire Gopichand Hinduja, chairman of the Hinduja Group, passed away on November 4 at 85 in London. He expanded the family business into one of the world’s largest conglomerates, achieving a fortune of £35 billion, and is survived by his wife, Sunita, and children.
Shibu Soren (1944–2025)
Tribal leader and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha founder Shibu Soren died on August 4 at 81. Credited with the creation of Jharkhand state, he served three terms as Chief Minister and was a prominent advocate for tribal rights.
Vijay Rupani (1956–2025)
Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani tragically died in the Air India Flight 171 crash on June 12 at 68. The London-bound flight crashed shortly after takeoff, claiming all but one life on board.
Vece Paes (1945–2025)
Olympic field hockey player and sports physician Vece Paes passed away on August 14 in Kolkata at 80. He won a bronze medal at the 1972 Munich Olympics and was father to tennis legend Leander Paes.
Lord Swraj Paul (1931–2025)
Indian-born British industrialist and philanthropist Lord Swraj Paul died on August 21 in London at 94. Founder of the Caparo Group and a life peer in the UK House of Lords, he received the Padma Bhushan for his contributions to industry and Indo-British relations.
Veteran Communist leader and former Kerala Chief Minister VS Achuthanandan passed away at 101 on July 21. A founding member of the CPI(M), he served multiple terms as Chief Minister and Leader of the Opposition.
Fauja Singh (1911–2025)
Fauja Singh, the “Turbaned Tornado,” died at 114 on July 14 in Punjab after being struck by a vehicle. Known worldwide for completing marathons past the age of 100, Singh became an inspiration for longevity and fitness.
2025 was a year that bade farewell to remarkable personalities whose contributions will be remembered across generations, from entertainment and politics to science, sports, and spirituality.
Dharmendra (1935–2025)
Veteran Bollywood actor Dharmendra passed away on November 24 at the age of 89 in Mumbai after a brief illness. Admitted to Breach Candy Hospital on October 31 for breathlessness, Dharmendra’s cinematic journey began in 1960 with Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere. His final film, Sriram Raghavan’s Ikkis, set to release on January 1, 2026, will mark his last appearance on the big screen.Pope Francis (1936–2025)
Pope Francis, the head of the Roman Catholic Church, died on April 21 at 88, following a cerebral stroke. The first Latin American and Jesuit pope, he was celebrated for his focus on the poor and reform efforts within the Church. A papal conclave convened after his death, leading to the election of Pope Leo XIV.Charlie Kirk (1993–2025)
American political activist Charlie Kirk was tragically shot while speaking at Utah Valley University on September 10 and died at the age of 31. An ally of former US President Donald Trump, Kirk was described by Trump as a “martyr.” Shivraj Patil (1935–2025)
Senior Congress leader Shivraj Patil passed away on December 12 at 90 in Latur, Maharashtra. A former Union Home Minister and Lok Sabha Speaker, he also served as Governor of Punjab and Administrator of Chandigarh during his illustrious political career.Jane Goodall (1934–2025)
Renowned British primatologist Jane Goodall, aged 91, died on October 1 in California. Known for her groundbreaking studies of wild chimpanzees in Tanzania, Goodall inspired global conservation efforts and transformed scientific understanding of animal behaviour. Satyapal Malik (1946–2025)
Former Governor Satyapal Malik died on August 5 at the age of 79 in New Delhi. He served as Governor of Jammu & Kashmir during the abrogation of Article 370 and held gubernatorial roles in Meghalaya, Goa, Bihar, and Odisha. Gopichand Hinduja (1940–2025)
Indian-British billionaire Gopichand Hinduja, chairman of the Hinduja Group, passed away on November 4 at 85 in London. He expanded the family business into one of the world’s largest conglomerates, achieving a fortune of £35 billion, and is survived by his wife, Sunita, and children.
Shibu Soren (1944–2025)
Tribal leader and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha founder Shibu Soren died on August 4 at 81. Credited with the creation of Jharkhand state, he served three terms as Chief Minister and was a prominent advocate for tribal rights. Vijay Rupani (1956–2025)
Former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani tragically died in the Air India Flight 171 crash on June 12 at 68. The London-bound flight crashed shortly after takeoff, claiming all but one life on board.Vece Paes (1945–2025)
Olympic field hockey player and sports physician Vece Paes passed away on August 14 in Kolkata at 80. He won a bronze medal at the 1972 Munich Olympics and was father to tennis legend Leander Paes. Lord Swraj Paul (1931–2025)
Indian-born British industrialist and philanthropist Lord Swraj Paul died on August 21 in London at 94. Founder of the Caparo Group and a life peer in the UK House of Lords, he received the Padma Bhushan for his contributions to industry and Indo-British relations. Comrade VS Achuthanandan (1923–2025)
Veteran Communist leader and former Kerala Chief Minister VS Achuthanandan passed away at 101 on July 21. A founding member of the CPI(M), he served multiple terms as Chief Minister and Leader of the Opposition.
Fauja Singh (1911–2025)
Fauja Singh, the “Turbaned Tornado,” died at 114 on July 14 in Punjab after being struck by a vehicle. Known worldwide for completing marathons past the age of 100, Singh became an inspiration for longevity and fitness. 2025 was a year that bade farewell to remarkable personalities whose contributions will be remembered across generations, from entertainment and politics to science, sports, and spirituality.
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