Celebrity Deaths in
2026
This page contains a list of the most famous people who died in 2026. The pantheon dataset contains 39 who passed this year, the most famous by HPI being Erich von Däniken, Rifaat al-Assad, Valentino, Princess Désirée, Baroness Silfverschiöld, and Princess Irene of Greece and Denmark. The cities with the most deaths were Rome (2), Berkeley, California (1), and Germany (1). The most common occupations for people who died this year were Soccer Player (7), Politician (7), Writer (4), Musician (3), and Chemist (2).
2026 Deaths: Honoring Lives and Legacies
The year 2026 saw the passing of many beloved celebrities, leaving behind legacies that continue to inspire fans across the globe. From legendary actors like and iconic musicians like Ralph Towner, Tony Dallara, and Francis Buchholz to groundbreaking athletes like Lucien Muller, Uljana Semjonova, and Dimitar Penev, these remarkable individuals have made a lasting impact in their fields. This page is dedicated to commemorating the lives of those we lost in 2026, celebrating their achievements and remembering their contributions to art, culture, and history. Below are the list of the most famous people to have died in 2026 based on cultural impact.
Erich von Däniken
Swiss Writer
Apr 14, 1935 - Jan 10, 2026
Age 91
HPI: 73.20
Rifaat al-Assad
Politician
Aug 22, 1937 - Jan 20, 2026
Age 89
HPI: 71.24
Valentino
Italian Designer
May 11, 1932 - Jan 19, 2026
Age 94
HPI: 70.11
Princess Désirée, Baroness Silfverschiöld
Swedish Politician
Jun 2, 1938 - Jan 21, 2026
Age 88
HPI: 69.39
Princess Irene of Greece and Denmark
South African Nobleman
May 11, 1942 - Jan 15, 2026
Age 84
HPI: 69.20
Béla Tarr
Hungarian Film Director
Jul 21, 1955 - Jan 6, 2026
Age 71
HPI: 65.51
Louis E. Brus
American Chemist
Aug 10, 1943 - Jan 11, 2026
Age 83
HPI: 63.32
Lucien Muller
French Soccer Player
Sep 3, 1934 - Jan 20, 2026
Age 92
HPI: 63.08
Uljana Semjonova
Lithuanian Basketball Player
Mar 9, 1952 - Jan 8, 2026
Age 74
HPI: 63.04
George Vassiliou
Politician
May 20, 1931 - Jan 13, 2026
Age 95
HPI: 62.80
Eva Schloss
Austrian Writer
May 11, 1929 - Jan 3, 2026
Age 97
HPI: 62.58
Aldrich Ames
American Extremist
May 26, 1941 - Jan 5, 2026
Age 85
HPI: 62.47
Dimitar Penev
Bulgarian Soccer Player
Jul 12, 1945 - Jan 3, 2026
Age 81
HPI: 61.28
Hans Herrmann
German Racing Driver
Feb 23, 1928 - Jan 9, 2026
Age 98
HPI: 61.06
Luísa Diogo
Mozambican Politician
Apr 11, 1958 - Jan 16, 2026
Age 68
HPI: 60.31
Colin McDonald
British Soccer Player
Oct 15, 1930 - Jan 1, 2026
Age 96
HPI: 59.74
Deaths by Month in 2026
January 2026
The following is a chronological list of the most famous people to have died in January of 2026. Sorted by popularity, the most famous people to pass away in January were Erich von Däniken (HPI: 73.20), Rifaat al-Assad (HPI: 71.24), and Valentino (HPI: 70.11).
Colin McDonald
Jan 1, 2026
British Soccer Player
HPI: 59.74
Mukhsin Mukhamadiev
Jan 1, 2026
Tadzhik Soccer Player
HPI: 41.78
Eva Schloss
Jan 3, 2026
Austrian Writer
HPI: 62.58
Dimitar Penev
Jan 3, 2026
Bulgarian Soccer Player
HPI: 61.28
Nora Ikstena
Jan 4, 2026
Latvian Writer
HPI: 52.29
Aldrich Ames
Jan 5, 2026
American Extremist
HPI: 62.47
Béla Tarr
Jan 6, 2026
Hungarian Film Director
HPI: 65.51
Edith M. Flanigen
Jan 6, 2026
American Chemist
HPI: 53.61
Doug LaMalfa
Jan 6, 2026
American Politician
HPI: 37.72
Glenn Hall
Jan 7, 2026
Canadian Hockey Player
HPI: 53.70
Terry Yorath
Jan 7, 2026
British Soccer Player
HPI: 49.27
Uljana Semjonova
Jan 8, 2026
Lithuanian Basketball Player
HPI: 63.04
Hans Herrmann
Jan 9, 2026
German Racing Driver
HPI: 61.06
Erich von Däniken
Jan 10, 2026
Swiss Writer
HPI: 73.20
Bob Weir
Jan 10, 2026
American Musician
HPI: 48.69
Louis E. Brus
Jan 11, 2026
American Chemist
HPI: 63.32
Richard Codey
Jan 11, 2026
American Politician
HPI: 48.80
Eddie McCreadie
Jan 12, 2026
British Soccer Player
HPI: 50.52
George Vassiliou
Jan 13, 2026
Politician
HPI: 62.80
Claudette Colvin
Jan 13, 2026
American Social Activist
HPI: 57.98
Peter Duesberg
Jan 13, 2026
German Biologist
HPI: 50.91
Scott Adams
Jan 13, 2026
American Comic Artist
HPI: 48.66
Princess Irene of Greece and Denmark
Jan 15, 2026
South African Nobleman
HPI: 69.20
Luísa Diogo
Jan 16, 2026
Mozambican Politician
HPI: 60.31
Tony Dallara
Jan 16, 2026
Singer
HPI: 55.44
Gladys West
Jan 17, 2026
American Mathematician
HPI: 57.14
Roger Allers
Jan 17, 2026
American Film Director
HPI: 53.64
Ralph Towner
Jan 18, 2026
American Musician
HPI: 56.23
Valentino
Jan 19, 2026
Italian Designer
HPI: 70.11
Rifaat al-Assad
Jan 20, 2026
Politician
HPI: 71.24
Lucien Muller
Jan 20, 2026
French Soccer Player
HPI: 63.08
Princess Désirée, Baroness Silfverschiöld
Jan 21, 2026
Swedish Politician
HPI: 69.39
Francis Buchholz
Jan 22, 2026
German Musician
HPI: 55.43
Ota Zaremba
Jan 23, 2026
Czech Athlete
HPI: 45.87
David Abulafia
Jan 24, 2026
British Historian
HPI: 54.62
Michael Parenti
Jan 24, 2026
American Writer
HPI: 53.56
Lee Hae-chan
Jan 25, 2026
South Korean Politician
HPI: 57.68
Franco Menichelli
Jan 28, 2026
Italian Gymnast
HPI: 54.81
Fathi Kameel
Jan 31, 2026
Kuwaiti Soccer Player
HPI:
