Former President Jimmy Carter led a remarkable life, transitioning from a peanut farmer to occupying the presidency. Though his presidency lasted a single term, his subsequent decades were marked by significant humanitarian efforts that had a profound impact on communities worldwide. Alongside his wife, Rosalynn, Carter established the Carter Center, devoting himself to advocating for democracy, human rights, and public health. He continued to engage with his community by teaching Sunday school at Maranatha Baptist Church in Georgia, embodying his commitment to service. Carter passed away on Sunday at the age of 100, making him the longest-living president in U.S. history.
His passing was one of several notable deaths in 2024, which saw the loss of influential figures across various fields. Notably, Russian dissident Alexei Navalny died in prison in February. A vociferous opponent of President Vladimir Putin, Navalny was known for his staunch fight against corruption and had been imprisoned since 2021 after returning to Russia post-recovery from a nerve agent poisoning that he attributed to the Kremlin.
This year also marked the passing of numerous significant political figures, including Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, former Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, and former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, among others. In the realm of activism, the deaths of prominent advocates such as the reverends Cecil L. “Chip” Murray and James Lawson Jr., as well as David Mixner and Hydeia Broadbent, highlighted a year of mourning for those who fought for civil rights and social justice.
The business landscape also lost several leading figures, including Indian industrialist Ratan Tata, Home Depot co-founder Bernard “Bernie” Marcus, and financier Jacob Rothschild. Among the entertainment industry, sports legend O.J. Simpson passed away in April, concluding a life riddled with notoriety from his infamous trial concerning the 1994 murders of his ex-wife and her companion. The world of sports mourned the loss of basketball greats Jerry West and Dikembe Mutombo, alongside baseball legends Willie Mays and Fernando Valenzuela, and celebrated gymnastics coach Bela Karolyi.
In music, the industry lost influential producer Quincy Jones in November. Known for his work on Michael Jackson’s iconic “Thriller” album and collaboration with countless artists, Jones left behind a vast and esteemed legacy. This year also saw the demise of various artists and entertainers, such as actors James Earl Jones, Gena Rowlands, and musicians like Toby Keith and Sergio Mendes.
The following is a list of other notable individuals who passed away in 2024, arranged by month:
**January:**
Zvi Zamir, the 98-year-old former director of Israel’s Mossad; Glynis Johns, 100, known for her role in “Mary Poppins”; and actor David Soul, 80.
**February:**
Carl Weathers, a Hollywood action star at 76; Hage Geingob, 82, Namibian president; and Alexei Navalny, the 47-year-old Russian political dissident.
**March:**
Iris Apfel, 102, a renowned textile designer; and Lou Whittaker, legendary mountaineer at 95.
**April:**
O.J. Simpson, former football star at 76; and the Rev. Cecil L. “Chip” Murray at 94.
**May:**
Country music star Toby Keith, who died from stomach cancer at 62; and former leader of Iran Ebrahim Raisi, 63.
**June:**
Willie Mays, 93, the legendary baseball player and Gena Rowlands, noted actress at 94.
**July:**
Longtime congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, 74; and U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe, 89.
**August:**
Susan Wojcicki, pioneering tech leader at 56; and Gena Rowlands, actor at 94.
**September:**
James Earl Jones, famed for his powerful voice at 93, along with sports figures like Dikembe Mutombo, 58.
**October:**
Ratan Tata, renowned Indian industrialist at 86; and Fernando Valenzuela, celebrated baseball player at 63.
**November:**
Music mogul Quincy Jones at 91; and Bernard Marcus, co-founder of Home Depot, 95.
**December:**
Literary icon Nikki Giovanni, 81; and actress Linda Lavin, 87.
The year 2024 will be remembered not only for the loss of these influential figures but also for the legacy they left behind in various realms, impacting fields from politics to entertainment and humanitarian efforts.
