KARACHI: The world lost many stars this year – whilst some left naturally, others saw very painful ends. Here are nineteen famous personalities that we, unfortunately, will not see next year.
Zubaida Aapa – January 4
Television personality and chef breathed her last after a brief illness at the age of 72. Fondly known as Zubaida Aapa, came to prominence in the late 90s due to her recipes and home remedies or totkas.
Mark Salling – January 30
Mark Salling, an actor who played a supporting role in the TV show Glee, died at age 35 from apparent suicide. The actor passed away weeks before his March sentencing on child pornography charges.
Qazi Wajid – February 11
Veteran radio and television personality breathed his last in Karachi, succumbing to a cardiac illness. He was 87. With a career spanning more than five decades, the seasoned artiste made many contributions to radio and TV.
Sridevi – February 24
Bollywood diva passed away in Dubai by accidental drowning following a cardiac arrest. She was 54. The first female superstar of India with her husband Boney Kapoor and daughter Khushi at the time of death. Her body was later flown to India for final rights.
Shammi – March 6
Veteran Indian actor, Nargis Rabadi, popularly known as ‘Shammi Aunty’ in the industry, passed away at 87. According to Bollywood personality Ashok Shekhar, she had been unwell for quite some time. She breathed her last at her Juhu Circle home.
Stephen Hawking – March 14
Renowned British physicist Stephen Hawking, whose genius despite the physical disability made him a household name and inspiration across the globe, died at age 76. He died peacefully at his home in the British university city of Cambridge in the early hours of March 14.
Aretha Franklin – March 16
Queen of soul died at the age of 76. Publicist of the singer cited that Aretha Franklin, who won 18 Grammys and had some 25 gold records, passed away at her home in Detroit.
Avicii – April 20
One of the world’s most successful DJ’s was found dead in Oman. He was 28. It was later confirmed that he committed suicide.
Madeeha Gauhar – April 25
Madeeha Gohar, the founder and artistic director of renowned Lahore-based performing arts group Ajoka Theatre, passed away after fighting cancer for three years. She passed away aged 62 and is survived by her two sons Nirvaan and Sarang.
Kate Spade – June 5
Fashion designer Kate Spade, 55, was found dead in her New York City apartment in an apparent suicide, police said. Spade hanged herself and was found by her housekeeper at her home on Park Avenue on Manhattan’s Upper East Side.
Anthony Bourdain – June 8
US celebrity chef and host of CNN’s food-and-travel-focused Parts Unknown television series passed away at 61. Officials said he killed himself in a French hotel room, in what became the second high-profile suicide of a US celebrity within a week after Kate Spade’s death news broke.
Annie Ali Khan – July 21
Former model and journalist Quratulain Ali Khan was found dead at her Karachi apartment. While there is still no confirmation, she was believed to have committed suicide. District South SSP Omar Shahid Hamid said that the one-time model had suffocated to death after setting some of her book ablaze.
Anam Tanoli – September 1
The fashion model was found dead at her residence in an upscale neighbourhood of Lahore with police confirming suicide. She was 26. According to the police, Anam’s body was found hanging from a ceiling fan in her house in the Defence area. Anam’s death opened debates about mental health in Pakistan.
Burt Reynolds – September 6
The mustachioed heart-throb of 1970s cinema died in a hospital after suffering from a heart attack. The famously suave 82-year-old had a reputation of a hard-drinking playboy. He also earned a Golden Globe, Oscar nomination and several critics’ awards for his portrayal of porn director Jack Horner in the 1997 film Boogie Nights.
Mac Miller – September 7
Rapper Mac Miller, who found fame early with his raucous, retro hip-hop but struggled with substance abuse and a painfully public breakup with pop star Ariana Grande, passed away at 26. The rapper had long battled with drug abuse and died of an overdose.
Tahir Chaudhry – October 6
Famous for his recipes on a budget, chef Tahir Chaudhry breathed his last after suffering from a cardiac arrest. The late chef hosted cooking shows and shared his expertise with local viewers. Fans of the late culinary expert shared their remorse on Twitter with many stating that they still couldn’t believe he was no more.
Stan Lee – November 12
Stan Lee, the legendary writer, editor and publisher of Marvel Comics died at the age of 95. Lee revolutionised pop culture as the co-creator of iconic superheroes like Spider-Man and The Hulk who now dominate the world’s movie screens. He had suffered a number of illnesses in recent years.
Fehmida Riaz – November 22
Renowned Urdu poetess and activist Fahmida Riaz passed away in Lahore after a prolonged illness. She was 73. Riaz always raised her voice for women rights and democracy. She also headed the National Book Foundation.
Ali Ejaz – December 18
Renowned film, TV and stage actor Ali Ejaz died in Lahore due to cardiac arrest. He was 77. Ejaz started his career in 1967 and was well known for his role in a popular television comedy drama series Khawaja and Son. The actor also suffered paralysis 12-13 years ago. He was honoured with the prestigious Presidential Pride of Performance on August 14, 1993.
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