Famous People Who Died At 19

Considered a great saint and a symbol of French unity, Joan of Arc led the French army to the watershed victory over the English forces in Orleans in 1429. In 1430, she was captured by the Anglo-Burgundians while defending Compiegne. She was burned at the stake at the age of 19 in 1431. Pope Benedict XV canonised her in 1920.

The eldest child of Alexander Hamilton—one of the founding fathers of the USA—Philip Hamilton was an intelligent student and the pride of his father. His young life came to end following a deadly duel with lawyer, George Eacker, who made offensive remarks about Alexander Hamilton. Alexander Hamilton, himself, lost his life in a similar manner three years later.

Sawyer Sweeten gained prominence with his performance in Everybody Loves Raymond. He took his own life from a self-inflicted gunshot a fortnight before his 20th birthday. The news of his death left his fans and co-stars shocked.

Derek Bentley was 19 when he was hanged for murdering a policeman during a burglary attempt. An illiterate, he had the mental age of 11 and also suffered from epilepsy. The controversial case led to a 45-long battle for a posthumous pardon, which was granted, and then a reversal of the murder charge.

Blessed with beguiling beauty, Antinous was quick to catch Roman emperor Hadrian’s attention, who took him as his lover. Antinous died shortly before turning 20, with some calling it a suicide and others suggesting it was a sacrifice. He was deified by Hadrian, who named a city in his honor.

Gordian III was a Roman emperor who reigned from 238 to 244 AD. He was the youngest Roman emperor as he ascended the throne at age 13. His reign was marked by a series of major earthquakes that swallowed a number of cities along with their inhabitants.

Adam Petty was an American racing driver best remembered for his association with NASCAR racing. Born into the famous Petty family of racers, Adam Petty was a fourth-generation racer in the NASCAR racing scene. Adam died at the age of 19 when his car hit the outside wall during a practice session at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in May 2000.

Though remembered as the third wife of Russian tsar Ivan the Terrible, Marfa Sobakina had been his wife only for 15 days. Selected of Ivan’s 12 marriage finalists, she died rather mysteriously, like the other wives of Ivan, within days of her marriage, with people suspecting poisoning as a probable reason.

Part of the silver-winning US team at the 1991 World Championships, gymnast Hilary Grivich was also a Junior National champion. A Károlyi six-pack member, she later quit gymnastics and switched to diving. She died in a horrific car accident in Houston at the tender age of 19.