Really Interesting People from the UK
MOLLY BAYFIELD, aged 92
Living all her life in Norfolk, she was the inspiration behind the biggest hit of the Singing Postman – and received unexpected local recognition.
GREG McCARTHY, aged 47
A qualified primary school teacher, with his wife he set up a historical re-enactment company, working with schools. He specialised as a Viking and a Roman.
TED CORDERY, aged 96
Serving in the Royal Navy during the war, he was on the arctic convoys before being present at D-Day. In later life he stood up to a notorious media mogul.
CHARLOTTE ‘BETTY’ WEBB, aged 101
After joining the army during the war, she became a codebreaker working at Bletchley Park, before being seconded to the USA and being employed at the Pentagon.
Really Interesting People from Europe
SJOUKJE DIJKSTRA, aged 82
The greatest figure skater of her time, she won the Netherlands first gold at the Winter Olympics before becoming a world-famous performer in the circus.
THE KESSLER TWINS, aged 89
Escaping East Germany, they were Europe’s hottest stars, performing with the greats. They were inseparable spending every moment together – in life and death.
MAYA WIDMAIER PICASSO, aged 87
The oldest daughter of Pablo Picasso, she had a close relationship with him, eventually becoming the custodian of his work – and falling out with her brother.
MARGOT HEUMAN, aged 94
She lost her family in the Holocaust and survived concentration and labour camps, bombing and the Death March. She was the first Holocaust survivor to come out.
Really Interesting People from the World
BILL MOYES, aged 92
A man who knew no fear and who regularly cheated death (just), he is credited with making hang-gliding a popular sport worldwide – The Australian Birdman.
NANA KONADU AGYEMAN-RAWLINGS, aged 76
The longest serving First Lady of Ghana, she made a significant improvement to the lives of women in the country, despite facing significant opposition.
JIM GORDON, aged 77
A talented drummer who played with most of the greats of the 60s and 70s, and was part of a famous band, but did he steal a famous song? Eventually he was charged with murder.
ED SMYLIE, aged 95
An aeronautical engineer who worked for NASA, he saved the lives of the three astronauts on Apollo 13 by a piece of brilliant improvisation.
