Died On December 17th

Discover the most famous people who died on December 17. The list includes people like Kim Jong-il, Rumi, Leopold II of Belgium, William Thomson, 1st Baron Kelvin, Jennifer Jones. Famous personalities featured on this list, include political leaders, poets, physicists and mathematicians and from other domains of life. This list includes people from United States, United Kingdom and many more countries.
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 1 
Rumi
(Persian Poet)
Rumi
60
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: September 30, 1207
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Balkh, Afghanistan
Died: 1273

Rumi was a Persian poet and Sufi mystic whose spiritual legacy has been attracting praises for the past 800 years! Often described as the best-selling and most popular poet in the US, Rumi's poems are widely read today in many countries. His poetry has influenced the literary traditions of many languages, such as Pashto, Urdu, Chagatai, and Ottoman Turkish.

 2 
Simon Bolivar
(Revolutionary & Military Leader)
Simon Bolivar
46
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: July 24, 1783
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Caracas, Venezuela
Died: 1830
After losing his parents as a child, Simon Bolivar also lost his Spanish wife to yellow fever later and thus decided to devote himself to politics. He was the first president of Gran Colombia and Bolivia, and also led Peru and Venezuela in their fight for freedom, against Spain.
 3 
Penny Marshall
(Actress)
Penny Marshall
18
Birthdate: October 15, 1943
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: The Bronx, New York, United States
Died: 2018
Height: 5'6" (168 cm)
 4 
Dana Andrews
(Best Known for His Role as ‘Fred Derry’ in the Film ‘The Best Years of Our Lives’)
Dana Andrews
8
Birthdate: January 1, 1909
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Collins, Mississippi, United States
Died: 1992

Dana Andrews was an American actor who achieved popularity during the 1940s. His film career declined in the 1950s, partly due to alcoholism, which he eventually overcame by working with the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence. Later in his life, he started focusing on his real estate business. He died of pneumonia and congestive heart failure in 1992.

 5 
Jennifer Jones
13
Birthdate: March 2, 1919
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Tulsa, Oklahoma, U.S.
Died: 2009
Jennifer Jones is best remembered for her Academy Award- and Golden Globe-winning role in the film The Song of Bernadette. A former model, she also starred in movies such as Love Letters and Duel in the Sun. She survived a suicide attempt once and became a mental health advocate later.
 6 
Daniel Inouye
(Former United States Senator from Hawaii (1963 - 2012))
Daniel Inouye
7
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: September 7, 1924
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
Died: 2012

Daniel Inouye was a US Senator from Hawaii. He was the highest-ranking Asian-American politician until 2021 when Kamala Harris of Indian origin became vice president. Inouye is also known for his participation in World War II where he lost his right arm. For his bravery in World War II, he was honored with the United States’ highest military award, the Medal of Honor.

 7 
Harold Holt
(Former Prime Minister of Australia)
Harold Holt
21
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: August 5, 1908
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Stanmore
Died: 1967

Harold Holt was an Australian politician and the 17th prime minister of Australia. On 17 December 1967, Holt disappeared while swimming in rough conditions at Cheviot Beach. Following his disappearance, which gave rise to several conspiracy theories, Harold Holt was presumed dead. The Harold Holt Memorial Swimming Centre in Melbourne is named in his honor.

 8 
Leopold II of Belgium
(Former King of the Belgians (1865 - 1909))
Leopold II of Belgium
33
Birthdate: April 9, 1835
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Brussels, Belgium
Died: 1909

Leopold II of Belgium reigned over Belgium as its second king from 1865 to 1909. He also owned the Independent State of the Congo from 1885 to 1908. Congolese people were subjected to torture and murder under Leopold's administration; the term crimes against humanity was coined by George Washington Williams in 1890 to describe the atrocities of Leopold's administration.

 9 
Lord Kelvin
(Mathematician, Physicist)
Lord Kelvin
17
Listed In: Scientists
Birthdate: June 26, 1824
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Belfast
Died: 1907

Lord Kelvin was a British mathematical physicist and engineer. He studied at the Glasgow University and proceeded to teach there as well. Besides his academic career, he also had a career as an electric telegraph engineer and inventor. He received the Royal Society's Copley Medal in 1883. Absolute temperatures are stated in units of kelvin in his honor.

 10 
Captain Beefheart
(Singer)
Captain Beefheart
8
Listed In: Singers
Birthdate: January 15, 1941
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Glendale, California, U.S.
Died: 2010
 11 
Don Draper
(Actor)
Don Draper
9
Birthdate: September 25, 1929
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Modesto, California, USA
Died: 1990
 12 
Queen Nzinga
(17th Century Queen of Angola)
Queen Nzinga
14
Birthdate: 1583 AD
Birthplace: Kingdom of Matamba
Died: 1663

Queen Nzinga, also known as Nzinga of Ndongo and Matamba, was the queen of the Kingdoms of Ndongo and Matamba. Born into the family of Ndongo, Nzinga assumed power after the demise of her father and sibling, after which she fought for the stature and Independence of her kingdoms from the Portuguese. Her reign lasted 37 years.

 13 
Otto Graham
(American Football Player)
Otto Graham
3
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: December 6, 1921
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Waukegan, Illinois, USA
Died: 2003
Height: 6'1" (185 cm)
 14 
Chris Henry
(American football player)
Chris Henry
13
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: May 17, 1983
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Belle Chasse, Louisiana, United States
Died: 2009
Height: 6'4" (193 cm)
 15 
Antoine-Augustin Parmentier
(French Pharmacist and Agronomist)
Antoine-Augustin Parmentier
2
Listed In: Scientists
Birthdate: August 12, 1737
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Montdidier, France
Died: 1813

While in prison, in the aftermath of the Seven Years’ War, army pharmacist Antoine-Augustin Parmentier was forced to eat potatoes, which were considered fit only for prison ration and animal feed back then. Parmentier later persuaded the Paris Faculty of Medicine to declare potatoes edible and popularized them in France.

 16 
Grover Washington, Jr.
(Saxophonist)
Grover Washington, Jr.
2
Listed In: Musicians
Birthdate: December 12, 1943
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Buffalo, New York, United States
Died: 1999
 17 
Marie Louise, Duchess of Parma
(Former Duchess of Parma, Piacenza and Guastalla (1814 - 1847))
Marie Louise, Duchess of Parma
2
Birthdate: December 12, 1791
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Vienna, Austria
Died: 1847

Marie Louise was an Austrian archduchess who reigned as Duchess of Parma from 1814 until her death. The eldest child of Emperor Francis II of Austria and his second wife, Maria Theresa, she grew up during a tumultuous period in the history of Austria. She was married to Napoleon I from 1810 to 1821. She died of pleurisy in 1847.  

 18 
Alphonse Daudet
(French Novelist Known for His Books ‘Le Petit Chose’ and ‘Fromont jeune et Risler aîné’)
Alphonse Daudet
39
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: May 13, 1840
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Nîmes, France
Died: 1897

Alphonse Daudet was a French novelist whose books are still widely read in France. He often collaborated with his wife Julia Daudet, a famous writer, poet, and journalist. Today, several schools and colleges in France are named in his honor.

 19 
Janet Margolin
(Actress)
Janet Margolin
1
Birthdate: July 25, 1943
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: New York, New York, United States
Died: 1993
 20 
Sammy Baugh
(American Professional Football Player Who Played as Quarterback and Coach)
Sammy Baugh
4
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: March 17, 1914
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Temple, Texas, United States
Died: 2008
Height: 6'2" (188 cm)
 21 
Nur Jahan
(Mughal Emperor Jahangir's Wife Who Exerted Immense Political Influence)
Nur Jahan
2
Birthdate: 1577 AD
Birthplace: Kandahar, Afghanistan
Died: 1645

Mughal empress and the 20th wife of Emperor Jahangir, Nur Jahan is remembered for her political influence. Though nothing concrete is known about her childhood, it is known that she was initially married to Mughal official Sher Afgan Khan who died in a battle. Jahangir’s reckless lifestyle made her dominate the political scene.

 22 
Henry Heimlich
(Physician, University teacher)
Henry Heimlich
5
Listed In: Physicians
Birthdate: February 3, 1920
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Wilmington
Died: 2016
 23 
Cesária Évora
(Former Singer-songwriter who was nominated for her first Grammy Award in 1995 for her album Cesaria)
Cesária Évora
1
Listed In: Musicians
Birthdate: August 27, 1941
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Mindelo, Cape Verde
Died: 2011
 24 
Elizabeth Garrett Anderson
(Mayor of Aldeburgh)
Elizabeth Garrett Anderson
1
Listed In: Physicians
Birthdate: June 9, 1836
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Whitechapel
Died: 1917

The first female doctor and surgeon of Britain, Elizabeth Garrett Anderson was initially denied admission to medical schools because of her gender and had thus started studying privately. Soon after joining the Marylebone Dispensary as an attendant, she contributed to the formation of the New Hospital for Women.

 25 
Dorothy L. Sayers
(English crime writer and poet.)
Dorothy L. Sayers
1
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: June 13, 1893
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Oxford, England
Died: 1957
 26 
Kim Jong-il
(Supreme Leader of North Korea from 1997 to 2011)
Kim Jong-il
85
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: February 16, 1941
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Vyatskoye, Russia
Died: 2011

Kim Jong-il was the second Supreme Leader of North Korea. He assumed this position from his father Kim Il-sung in 1994 and served in this position until his own death in 2011. His reign was repressive and totalitarian and was marked by food scarcity.

 27 
Désirée Clary
(Queen)
Désirée Clary
2
Birthdate: November 8, 1777
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Marseille, France
Died: 1860
 28 
Deon Dreyer
(Diver)
Deon Dreyer
3
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: August 7, 1974
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: South Africa
Died: 1994
 29 
Ibn an-Nafīs
(Polymath)
Ibn an-Nafīs
0
Birthdate: 1213 AD
Birthplace: Damascus, Syria
Died: 1288
 30 
Ai Iijima
(Japanese Media Personality, Writer and Actress)
Ai Iijima
0
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: October 31, 1972
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Kameido, Tokyo, Japan
Died: 2008

Ai Iijima was a Japanese writer, media personality, actress, and activist. She is best remembered for appearing in a softcore porn variety TV show titled Gilgamesh Night. After ending her career as a softcore porn actress, Iijima became associated with campaigns that aimed at educating people about HIV/AIDS.

 31 
Ruby Murray
(Singer)
Ruby Murray
1
Listed In: Singers
Birthdate: March 29, 1935
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Donegall Road, Belfast, Northern Ireland
Died: 1996
 32 
Marguerite Yourcenar
(French Novelist, Essayist and First Woman Elected to the 'Académie Française')
Marguerite Yourcenar
0
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: June 8, 1903
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Brussels, Belgium
Died: 1987

Belgian-born French novelist Marguerite Yourcenar, who later settled in the US, is best remembered for her award-winning works such as Mémoires d'Hadrien. She was also the first female member to be elected to the Académie Française. She used an anagram of her original last name, Crayencour, as her surname.

 33 
Peter Warlock
(Composer)
Peter Warlock
2
Listed In: Musicians
Birthdate: October 30, 1894
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: London
Died: 1930
 34 
Jack Anderson
(Journalist)
Jack Anderson
1
Birthdate: October 19, 1922
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Long Beach, California, United States
Died: 2005
 35 
Hound Dog Taylor
(Guitarist, Singer)
Hound Dog Taylor
1
Listed In: Musicians
Birthdate: April 12, 1915
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Natchez, Mississippi, United States
Died: 1975
 36 
Hayden Fry
(American football player, Military officer)
Hayden Fry
3
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: February 28, 1929
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Eastland, Texas, United States
Died: 2019
 37 
Amin al-Hafiz
(Former President of Syria)
Amin al-Hafiz
0
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: November 12, 1921
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Aleppo, Syria
Died: 2009
Amin al-Hafiz was a Syrian politician best remembered for his service as the President of Syria from 1963 to 1966. An important politician, al-Hafiz also served as the Prime Minister of Syria on two separate occasions; from 1963 to 1964 and again from 1964 to 1965. In the 2019 TV series The Spy, Amin al-Hafiz was played by Waleed Zuaiter.  
 38 
Paul Greco
(Actor, Musician)
Paul Greco
1
Birthdate: October 21, 1955
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Newark, New Jersey, United States
Died: 2008
 39 
Tom Wesselmann
(Painter)
Tom Wesselmann
0
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: February 23, 1931
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Cincinnati
Died: 2004
 40 
Constance Garnett
(English translator)
Constance Garnett
0
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: December 19, 1861
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Brighton, England
Died: 1946
 41 
Hastings Ismay, 1st Baron Ismay
(1st Secretary General of NATO (1952 - 1957) )
Hastings Ismay, 1st Baron Ismay
1
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: June 21, 1887
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Nainital, Uttarakhand, India
Died: 1965

Born to a British civil servant in British India, Hastings Lionel Ismay later joined the British Indian Army. During World War II, he rose to be the most trusted military advisor of British prime minister Winston Churchill. He later also served as NATO’s first secretary-general and was eventually knighted.

 42 
Henry Cuesta
(Musician)
Henry Cuesta
1
Listed In: Musicians
Birthdate: December 23, 1931
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: McAllen, Texas, United States
Died: 2003
 43 
Gérard Blain
(Actor)
Gérard Blain
0
Birthdate: October 23, 1930
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Paris, France
Died: 2000
 44 
C. Vann Woodward
(Historian)
C. Vann Woodward
1
Birthdate: November 13, 1908
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Vanndale, Arkansas, United States
Died: 1999
 45 
Francis Beaufort
(Irish Hydrographer Who was the Creator of the Beaufort Scale for Indicating Wind Force)
Francis Beaufort
1
Listed In: Scientists
Birthdate: May 27, 1774
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Navan, County Meath, Ireland
Died: 1857

Irish-born Francis Beaufort grew up to be a British Royal Navy admiral. He also went down in history as the inventor of the Beaufort wind force scale, which was meant for observing wind force at sea. His personal diaries, written in Beaufort cipher, reveal an incestuous relationship with his sister.

 46 
Oemar Said Tjokroaminoto
(A Pioneer of the Trade Union Movement in Indonesia and the Founder of Sarekat Islam)
Oemar Said Tjokroaminoto
0
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: August 16, 1882
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Desa Bakur, Indonesia
Died: 1934

Omar Said Tjokroaminoto led the Indonesian nationalist movement in its early years. He was also closely associated with the Sarekat Islam, or Islamic Association, through which he pioneered the trade union movement in Indonesia. The Dutch called him the Crownless King of Java. He taught Sukarno, who later married his daughter.

 47 
Johannes Nicolaus Brønsted
(Danish Physical Chemist Who Developed the 'Brønsted–Lowry Acid–Base Theory')
Johannes Nicolaus Brønsted
0
Listed In: Scientists
Birthdate: February 22, 1879
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Varde, Denmark
Died: 1947

Danish physical chemist Johannes Nicolaus Brønsted is best known for his discovery of an acid-base concept that was similar to but independent of Thomas Martin Lowry’s research. He also taught at Yale and was later elected to the Danish Parliament. He was also nominated for the Nobel Prize 4 times.

 48 
William B. Cushing
(Naval officer)
William B. Cushing
0
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: November 4, 1842
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Delafield, Wisconsin, United States
Died: 1874
 49 
Victor Francis Hess
(Discoverer of Cosmic Rays)
Victor Francis Hess
0
Birthdate: June 24, 1883
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Peggau
Died: 1964
 50 
Saint John of Matha
(Saint)
Saint John of Matha
1
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: June 23, 1169
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Faucon-de-Barcelonette, France
Died: 1213