Obituaries

Magician and tiger tamer Siegfried Fischbacher has died at the age of 81. According to a report in the "Bild" newspaper, he had suffered from terminal pancreatic cancer. The malignant tumor had been removed, but there was no prospect of a cure, the newspaper reported. Together with his colleague and partner Roy Horn, Fischbacher had achieved world fame with tiger and lion acts. In May 2020, Roy died at the age of 75 as a result of a Covdi-19 infection.

Pierre Cardin, who during his more than seven decades in fashion brought geometric shapes to haute couture and put his name on everything from clothing to furniture to perfume to pens, died Tuesday, aged 98.

The Italian-born French designer died in a hospital in Neuilly in the west of Paris.

Dame Barbara Windsor, best known for her roles in the Carry On films and as Peggy Mitchell, the landlady of The Queen Vic in Eastenders has died aged 83 in a London care home on Thursday (10/12/20) evening from Alzheimer's.

Her husband, Scott Mitchell, confirmed the news that she had died peacefully. He said that Dame Barbara would be emembered for the "love, fun, friendship and brightness she brought to all our lives".

Prime Minister Boris Johnson was one of the first high profile people to react to her death on Twitter. The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall also paid tribute to her charity and acting work.

Italy's 1982 World Cup hero Paolo Rossi has died aged 64. His death was announced on Thursday, following what Italian media report had been a long illness.

He was the first player, later equalled by Ronaldo, to win the World Cup, the top scorer title and the Golden Ball in the same year.

Alejandro Sabella, the coach who led the Argentinean National Team to the runner-up in the World Cup in Brazil, died Tuesday at the age of 66.

Sabella has suffered from a severe heart disease since 2015 and had been placed in intensive care just a day after the footballing world mourned the death of Argentine legend Diego Maradona.

His family informed that last night the former president died after struggling with pulmonary cancer. Also informed that for coronavirus reasons will no be placed any public large ceremony and ask to the population to follow the ceremony by the media staying at home, in order to avoid crowds.

Valéry Giscard d'Estaing, president of France from 1974 to 1981, has died at the age of 94 of Coronavirus complications. He died surrounded by his family in his home in central France. Giscard d'Estaing was pro-Europe and liberalised laws on divorce, abortion and contraception during his tenure.

President Emmanuel Macron praised Giscard d'Estaing for transforming France and its direction: "A servant of the state, a politician of progress and freedom, his death has plunged the French nation into mourning."

The soccer legend Diego Armando Maradona died on Wednesday morning at the house in the San Andres neighborhood, in the city of Tigre, where he lived for some days after having been operated on the head. Maradona has died at the age of 60 after suffering a cardiac arrest.

Maradona, regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, helped Argentina win the World Cup in 1986, the pinnacle of an illustrious career.

The long time host "Jeopardy!" Alex Trebek has died at the age of 80 this Sunday after a battle against pancreatic cancer,

The program tweeted: "Jeopardy! is saddened to share that Alex Trebek passed away peacefully at home early this morning, surrounded by family and friends. Thank you, Alex."

The Scottish actor Sir Sean Connery has died at the age of 90. Connery was best known for his portrayal of James Bond, being the first to bring the role to the big screen and appearing in seven of the spy thrillers.

Connery went on to distinguish himself with a long and mature career in such films as “The Wind and the Lion,” “The Man Who Would Be King” and “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.” His turn as a tough Irish cop in Depression-era Chicago in Brian De Palma’s 1987 “The Untouchables” brought him a supporting actor Oscar.

James Randi, a magician and respected paranormal investigator, has died at 92. The James Randi Foundation confirmed his death on Tuesday in a post on Twitter, saying he died of "age-related causes."

The filmmaker and environmental activist James Redford has passed away at the age of 58, his wife Kyle has confirmed.

James, who was the son of actor Robert Redford, died of bile-duct cancer in his liver on October 16.

Kyle Redford posted on Twitter: "Jamie died today. We’re heartbroken. He lived a beautiful, impactful life & was loved by many. He will be deeply missed."

Herbst Kretzmer, a London journalist and lyricists, has died Wednesday in his London home at the of 95. Kretzmer was known for writing the English-language musical adaptation of Les Misérables.

Eddie Van Halen, virtuoso guitarist and co-founder of the popular rock band Van Halen, has died Tuesday at the age of 65. The musician had been undergoing treatment for throat cancer.

Celebrity news website TMZ, which first broke the news of his death, said Van Halen died at St Johns Hospital in Santa Monica on Tuesday surrounded by his family.

Eddie's son, Wolfgang, wrote on Twitter: "I can’t believe I’m having to write this, but my father, Edward Lodewijk Van Halen, has lost his long and arduous battle with cancer this morning."

Japanese designer Kenzo Takada, creator of the clothing and perfume brand "Kenzo", died Sunday, aged 81, a victim of the Covid-19. The information was announced by his spokesman.

First Japanese stylist to be successful in Paris, where he developed his entire career and made his name famous, he died at the American Hospital in Neuilly-sur-Seine.

Kenzo was famous not only for his clothes but went on to create a global brand of perfume and skin products. At the time of his death, he was acting honorary president of the Asian Couture Federation.

Australian singer Helen Reddy has died at the age of 78. Her passing was announced in a statement on her official Facebook page by her children. Reddy had spent the last years of her life in a care home in Los Angeles after being diagnosed with Addison's disease and dementia.

"It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, Helen Reddy, on the afternoon of September 29th 2020 in Los Angeles. She was a wonderful Mother, Grandmother and a truly formidable woman. Our hearts are broken. But we take comfort in the knowledge that her voice will live on forever," her children Traci and Jordan wrote.

Reddy was the singer behind the feminist anthem "I Am Woman" which became prominent in the women's liberation movement in the 1970s.

Graphic artist Joaquín Salvador Lavado, known as Quino, died at the age of 88. Quino rose to fame for his comic strips and for his most widespread character globally: little Mafalda.

He had an extensive and acclaimed career that led him to receive distinctions such as the Official Order of the Legion of Honor in France and the Prince of Asturias Award in Spain. "When I think that I am going to open the newspaper and my drawings will not be there, it gives me more anguish and I continue drawing. It is like that stationmaster who retires, but returns every day to see if the trains run on time", he said once.

Pro skateboarder and founder of the streetwear company Huf Worldwide Keith Hufnagel has died at the age of 46 in his Los Angeles home after battling brain cancer for two and a half years.

"We are absolutely heartbroken to deliver the news today that HUF founder Keith Hufnagel has passed away. Keith battled brain cancer for the past 2.5 years. And though he beat the odds and fought back much longer than his diagnosis permitted, he ultimately and unfortunately lost the fight," Huf Worldwide wrote in an Instagram post. "Keith paved the way for all of us – as a respected professional skateboarder, shop owner, brand founder, footwear and apparel designer, creative director, and industry leader. He showed us how to do it, and how do it right."

Ron Cobb has died of Lewy body dementia in Sydney at the age of 83, his wife Robin Love reports.

Cobb influenced the making of E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial and was a part in building the worlds of Back to the Future, Conan the Barbarian and Alien.

Cinematographer and two-time Oscar nominee Michael Chapman has died of congestive heart failure at his home in Los Angeles at the age of 84.

Chapman worked on various movies, including Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, The Fugitive, The Last Waltz and Invasion of the Body Snatchers.