Queen Elizabeth II, Olivia Newton-John, Pablo Milanés and 7 other personalities who said goodbye in 2022

2022-12-27T19:32:11.496Z

Influential politicians, artists, and other opinion leaders died in 2022, leaving an indelible mark on history. We honor them with a last farewell.

By Bernard McGhee -

The Associated Press

One would have to go back hundreds of years in history to find a monarch who has reigned longer than Queen Elizabeth II.

In his 70 years on the throne, he helped modernize the monarchy through decades of enormous social change, royal marriages and births, and family scandals.

To most Britons, she was the only monarch they had ever known.

His death in September

was arguably the most high-profile death this year

, prompting a great collective outpouring of grief and respect for his stable leadership, as well as some criticism of the monarchy's role in colonialism.

He probably met more people than anyone in history, and his image—on postage stamps, coins, and bills—was one of the most reproduced in the world.

Here is a list of some influential figures who died in 2022:

Sidney Poitier, 94 years old

He played roles with such dignity and intelligence that he transformed the way black people are portrayed on screen, becoming the first black actor to win a Best Actor Oscar and the first black actor to enter the group of highest-grossing actors. .

January 6th.

President Barack Obama presents the 2009 Presidential Medal of Freedom to Sidney Poitier during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House on August 12, 2009.AP

Bob Saget, 65

Actor and comedian known for playing beloved single dad Danny Tanner on the sitcom "Full House" and for being the prankster host of "America's Funniest Home Videos."

January 9th.

The late actor Bob Saget in a December 8, 2021 file photo.Richard Shotwell / Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP

Taylor Hawkins, 50 years old

For 25 years he was the drummer for Foo Fighters and best friends with frontman Dave Grohl.

Hawkins passed away hours before a concert by the band in Bogotá, Colombia.

March 25th.

Taylor Hawkins, during a Foo Fighters concert at the Innings Festival in Tempe, Arizona, on February 26, 2022. Amy Harris / Amy Harris/Invision/AP

Olivia Newton-John, 73

Grammy-winning superstar who reigned on the pop, country, adult contemporary and dance charts with hits like "Physical" and "You're the One That I Want," winning countless hearts as Everyone's favorite Sandy in the hit movie version of “Grease.”

August 8.

Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta in a scene from the movie 'Grease'Getty Images

Mikhail Gorbachev, 91 years old

As the last leader of the Soviet Union, he set out to revitalize it, but ended up unleashing forces that led to the collapse of communism, the dismemberment of the state, and the end of the Cold War.

August 30th.

The former president of the Soviet Union Mikhail Gorbachev during an interview in 2016. Ivan Sekretarev / AP

Queen Elizabeth II, 96 years old

Britain's longest-reigning monarch and a rock of stability through much of a turbulent century, her death marked the end of an era for the British monarchy.

September 8th.

Queen Elizabeth II in a 2021 file photo. Scott Heppell / AP

Gal Costa, 77 years old

The singer was an icon in the Brazilian popular music and tropicalismo movements, and enjoyed a career spanning nearly six decades.

November 9.

The Brazilian singer Gal Costa at the Barcelona B-estival in 2006 (file photo). Gustavo Nacarino / REUTERS

Pablo Milanes, 79 years old

Latin Grammy-winning balladeer who helped found the Cuban nueva trova movement and toured the world as a cultural ambassador for Fidel Castro's revolution.

November 22th.

File photo dated August 7, 2021 showing Pablo Milanés during a concert of the 'En Vivo' cycle in the Motril bullring, in Granada, Spain. EFE/Miguel Paquet / ARCHIVE