The year in review: Influential people who have died in 2026
Known for his Southern drawl, political flexibility and…
In January, the nation mourned the loss of Diane Crump, a trailblazing woman who made history in 1969 as the first female jockey to race professionally in a horse race, subsequently becoming the first female jockey in the Kentucky Derby.
January also saw the death of Ahn Sung-ki, a prominent figure in South Korean cinema who captivated audiences with his 60-year career and gentle persona, earning him the moniker "The Nation's Actor."
On January 5th, the United States lost Aldrich Ames, a CIA officer who fell victim to one of the most significant intelligence breaches in U.S. history, betraying Western intelligence assets to the Soviet Union and Russia.
Additionally, influential individuals such as aviation pioneer Wally Funk, who became the oldest woman to travel to space in 2021, and former Qatari ruler Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani passed away during the month.
Written by urgent.news from Associated Press's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
