As much as 2025 was eventful, it was also a year of profound loss, in which many famous personalities who made great contributions in the fields of art and politics said goodbye to the world. From advertising legend Piyush Pandey to ‘He-Man’ Dharmendra, India lost some great gems in 2025.
Apart from India, 2025 also saw major damage globally, with the deaths of prominent figures such as Italian luxury fashion designer Giorgio Armani and right-wing activist and Trump supporter Charlie Kirk.
Here are the names of some global celebrities who left the world this year:
David Lynch – January 15, 2025
Famous artist David Lynch, the filmmaker of classic films like ‘Blue Velvet’, ‘The Elephant Man’ and ‘Mulholland Drive’, said goodbye to the world on January 15. Although no cause of death of the 78-year-old director was initially given, later reports said that he died of cardiac arrest due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. According to a report in The Independent, dehydration was also linked as a cause of the legendary filmmaker’s death. Lynch was not only a filmmaker, but she also co-created the groundbreaking TV series ‘Twin Peaks’.
He was known for his surreal cinema and innovative storytelling. He told The Guardian newspaper in a 2018 interview, “A film or a painting, each thing is its own kind of language and trying to say the same thing in words is not right. The words are not there.”
Kim Se-ron – February 16, 2025
A death that shocked the entire South Korean arts industry and K-drama lovers around the world came in February this year, when 24-year-old Kim Se-ron passed away on February 16. His career began at just nine years old, but he quickly gained praise for his roles in Brand New Life (2009) and The Man from Nowhere (2010). She was most famous for her appearance in the Netflix series ‘Bloodhounds’ (2023).
His death sparked a major controversy in South Korea and South Korean star Kim Soo-hyun was at the center of it. The 37-year-old actor, who was also quite popular among K-drama fans in India, was accused by Se-ron’s family of dating her when she was a minor. It was also alleged that Soo-hyun’s agency, Gold Medalist, which also manages Kim Se Ron until 2022, covered her DUI fine but later demanded she repay 700 million won ($481,000).
However, the actor later denied the allegations in a press conference, in which he also cried and said, “I can’t accept something I didn’t do”.
Val Kilmer – April 1, 2025
Remember the famous Batman tux fight between Ross and Chandler in the popular TV show ‘Friends’? Then you should also remember the Val Kilmer reference. The 65-year-old actor, who is best known for his portrayal of Bruce Wayne in ‘Batman Forever’ (1995), breathed his last on April 1.
According to what his daughter Mercedes Kilmer told The New York Times, the actor died of pneumonia in Los Angeles. Earlier, after being diagnosed with cancer in 2014, he had been battling cancer for many years.
He became famous for playing naval aviator Tom Iceman Kazansky opposite Tom Cruise in the 1986 mega box-office hit Top Gun, and also made a big name for himself in Hollywood with significant roles in Real Genius, Tombstone, Heat, and The Saint.
Pope Francis – April 21, 2025
Pope Francis, one of the most influential global religious leaders of the 21st century, left the world on April 21. He reportedly suffered a stroke, followed by heart failure and fell into a coma. The Vatican said he died of double pneumonia complications.
He had been experiencing health issues for several weeks before his death. Pope Francis was hospitalized in February with bronchitis that turned into pneumonia in both lungs.
The 88-year-old church head was the first Latin American and 266th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church. He was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and later became Archbishop of Buenos Aires.
As Pope, he was known for his humility and kindness. He had long advocated decriminalizing homosexuality. One of his comments on gay priests that defined his papacy was: “If someone is gay and he searches for God and has good will, who am I to judge?”
In a major change for the Catholic Church, Pope Francis also allowed priests to bless same-sex couples as long as they support the marriage.
Ozzy Osbourne – July 22, 2025
Ozzy Osbourne, a member of the band that invented heavy metal rock and considered one of the most influential but controversial faces of rock music, said goodbye to the world on July 22. Notorious rock personality John Michael Osbourne was born in Birmingham, UK in 1948 and his defining moment in the rock music industry came in the 60s, when he joined a band called ‘Black Sabbath’ as ​​the lead singer.
The singer’s career was also surrounded by controversies for most of the time, as he was accused of trying to murder his wife. According to a report in Billboard, the singer attempted this “for no apparent reason except that he was crazy under the influence of alcohol and drugs”. The Guardian said in a report that Osbourne died on July 5, just weeks after reuniting with his band members in Black Sabbath.
Hulk Hogan – July 24, 2025
Terry Gene Bollea, better known as Hulk Hogan, died on July 24. The former WWE wrestling star died of an acute myocardial infarction, commonly known as a heart attack, ABC News reported a week after his death.
The wrestling star reportedly had a history of atrial fibrillation and chronic lymphocytic leukemia, also known as blood cancer. According to TMZ Sports, an emergency call regarding cardiac arrest was received from Hogan’s home in Clearwater, Florida on the day of his death.
Hulk Hogan, described by WWE as one of “pop culture’s most recognizable figures”, has been a wrestling enthusiast since his teenage years. He entered the sport professionally in August 1977 after which he earned the title of ‘Hulk’. He eventually became a household name as he starred in many films and TV shows over the years.
Giorgio Armani – September 4, 2025
Giorgio Armani, the founder of luxury Italian brand Armani, died on September 4, 2025, at the age of 91. Their brand enjoys huge popularity around the world and produces perfumes, watches, high fashion couture, eyewear, home goods, makeup products and more.
Armani, known among industry fans as “Ray Giorgio” – King Giorgio, was credited with revolutionizing fashion in the 70s. The company announced his death, saying, “He worked until his last days, dedicating himself to the company, the collection, and many ongoing and future projects.”
Armani founded his business with his romantic partner Sergio Galeotti, whom he credited for “believing” in him. However, his partner, who had AIDS, died in 1985 at the age of 40, leaving Armani to grow the business himself.
Charlie Kirk – September 10, 2025
In a death that sparked an outpouring of grief across the United States, right-wing activist and staunch supporter of President Donald Trump Charlie Kirk was shot dead in the middle of a speech during a public event in Utah. Kirk was shot and killed on September 10 during a student quiz at Utah Valley University (UVU) in Orem, while he was answering a question on mass shooters.
The 31-year-old was known as an icon of conservatism in America and was the founder of ‘Turning Point America’. Even before his public shooting, Kirk had always been at the center of controversy for his views on gun control, abortion, and women. Some of her controversial statements include her comments on women over the age of 30 not being “attractive in the dating pool” and that birth control made women more “angry and bitter”.
He was also a big supporter of gun rights in the country, and once notoriously suggested that some deaths caused by gun violence were “worth” invoking the Second Amendment to protect “God-given rights”.
Charlie Kirk and Donald Trump were also very close and the right-wing activist also played a big role in promoting the Trump-led MAGA movement.
Jane Goodall – October 1, 2025
Scientist and renowned British primatologist Jane Goodall died on October 1, leaving a legacy of her efforts to protect the environment and her love of wildlife. The 91-year-old global activist died of natural causes while she was in California on a speaking tour, according to the Jane Goodall Institute.
The world mourned Goodall’s death and the United Nations called her an ambassador of peace who worked tirelessly for the planet. Goodall’s quest to save the environment took him from a seaside English village to Africa and then across the world in a quest to better understand chimpanzees, as well as the role of humans in protecting their habitat and the health of the planet.
Diane Keaton – October 11, 2025
Academy Award-winning and popular American actor Diane Keaton died on October 11 at the age of 79. His family later issued a statement saying that the actor died of pneumonia.
Some of her popular roles were in films like Something’s Gotta Give, First Wives Club and Annie Hall, for which she won the ‘Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role’ in 1978. His fame was also attributed to his work in the classic The Godfather films directed by Francis Ford Coppola.
Diane Keaton was also a fashion icon in Hollywood, popularizing menswear-inspired suits for women. Buttoned tuxedos, collared shirts with flowy skirts and three-piece suits with frills and boots were some of his popular styles that he displayed at many red carpet events over the years.
Rob Reiner, wife Michelle – December 14, 2025
Before the end of 2025, on December 14, a sensational murder case shocked the world. Filmmaker and actor Rob Reiner and his wife Michelle Singer Reiner were found dead inside their home in Brentwood, Los Angeles and as the investigation into his death heats up, their 32-year-old son Nick Reiner has been arrested on murder charges. According to CNN, LA police have said that Nick was “responsible” for the deaths of his parents.
Rob Reiner was an actor and director who rose to fame as Mike “Meathead” Stivic on the 70s CBS sitcom All in the Family. He was known for his roles in films such as Sleepless in Seattle, Bullets Over Broadway, EDTV and The Wolf of Wall Street (2013).
He met his wife, photographer Michelle Singer, in the late 80s on the set of When Harry Met Sally, and the couple married in 1989.
