2007 IN REVIEW: OBITS
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Easily the most high-profile death of the year, the media was like a dog with a bone when Anna Nicole Smith was found dead in a Florida hotel room. Smith's passing led to a huge custody battle for Smith's newborn daughter, Dannielynn. Smith's best friend and lawyer Howard K. Stern and her former boyfriend, Larry Birkhead, both claimed to be the father of the girl, while Smith's mother also battled for custody. Paternity tests determined that Birkhead was indeed the dad.
BORIS YELTSIN, 76, April 22
Russia's first freely elected leader died from heart failure at a hospital in Moscow.
The ultra-conservative Christian preacher is remembered as a uniter and a divider. He was a lightening rod for controversy in life. He was known for his attacks on gay and raised eyebrows years ago when he said that the purple Teletubbie was gay. Falwell had a history of heart problems and was found unconscious in May.
CHARLES NELSON REILLY, 76, May 25
The flamboyant actor was best known for his role as a panelist on the 1970's hit game show, "Match Game."
The wife of President Lyndon Johnson was one of the nation's most beloved public figures because of her warm manner and devotion to the country. She died of natural causes.
Known for her loud make-up and matching personality, Messner helped build a multi-million dollar evangelism empire in the 1980's. That empire collapsed when Messner's then husband, Jim Bakker, admitted to defrauding his followers. Tammy Faye had battled cancer for more than a decade. Just days before she died, she appeared on Larry King Live weighing only 65 pounds.
The Irish singer and banjo player used his music to spread stories of Irish culture throughout the world. He died of lung cancer.
The host of the popular "Merv Griffin Show" also created the syndication mega-hits, "Wheel of Fortune" and "Jeopardy!" He died before his final game show, "Merv Griffin's Crosswords" made it to air in September 2007.
She ran a $5 billion dollar hotel and real estate empire in New York and was known as thr "queen of mean." Even in death, Helmsley caused controversy. She left her dog $12 million, while leaving two of her grandchildren out of her will.
One of the most popular opera singers ever, a New York Times critic once wrote that Pavarotti's vocal chords were "kissed by God." He was presented with the Grammy Legend Award in 1998 and received a Kennedy Center Honor in 2001. Pavarotti died at his home after a long battle with cancer.
Labels: obits, year in review
posted by jc @ 12:57 PM,
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