Year in review: Influential Canadians and people who died in 2024

From former prime ministers to Hollywood superstars, 2024 saw the deaths of many influential Canadians and newsmakers from around the world.

Ontario Transport Minister Caroline Mulroney confirmed the death of her father, former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney on Feb. 29 writing, “On behalf of my mother and our family, it is with great sadness we announce the passing of my father, The Right Honourable Brian Mulroney, Canada’s 18th Prime Minister.”

Mulroney served as Prime Minister from 1984 to 1993 after working as a lawyer and president of the Iron Ore Company of Canada. He won the leadership of the Progressive Conservative party in 1983 in his second attempt at the role.

Mulroney’s death was followed by Canadian acting legend Donald Sutherland in June following a long illness. The New Brunswick-born actor’s award-winning career spanned nearly seven decades, and he was named Officer of the Order of Canada.

But Sutherland and Mulroney were just two of many noteworthy people who died in 2024.

Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter – that country’s longest-lived president – died on Sunday at age 100.

Founding the Carter Center with his wife, Rosalynn, he became a global champion for democracy, human rights and public health. And he still took time to teach Sunday school at Maranatha Baptist Church in Georgia.

O.J. Simpson’s “trial of the century” over the 1994 killings of his ex-wife and her friend bared divisions over race and law enforcement and brought an intersection of sports, crime, entertainment and class that was hard to turn away from. His death in April brought an end to a life that had become defined by scrutiny over the killings.

Other noteworthy sports figures who died include: basketball players Jerry West and Dikembe Mutombo; baseball players Willie Mays and Fernando Valenzuela; and gymnastics coach Bela Karolyi.

The music industry lost a titan in producer Quincy Jones, who died in November. His many contributions included producing Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” album and working with hundreds of other musicians over a long and storied career.

Other artists and entertainers who died this year include actors James Earl Jones, Shelley Duvall, and Kris Kristofferson; musicians Toby Keith, Phil Lesh, and Dickey Betts; and TV personalities Richard Simmons and sex therapist Dr. Ruth Westheimer.

– With files from INsauga.com