Really Interesting People from the UK
JOHN DONALD, aged 94
A young goldsmith and designer he came to prominence when patronised by the Royal Family. His jewellery was innovative and original – and very expensive.
GEORGE WEISS, aged 81
An eccentric who stood for Parliament on many occasions, befriended celebrities and was a participant at a significant moment in British electoral history.
VAL ROBINSON, aged 80
A PE teacher who is regarded as the greatest ever British hockey player. She won many medals and held many records but never played at the Olympics. A Superstar
EDDIE SPENCE, aged 91
Learning his trade as a baker he created many cakes for Royal occasions and was the world expert in royal icing. Many of his royal weddings ended in divorce.
Really Interesting People from Europe
MARCUS KLINGBERG, aged 97
A Polish Jew who fought for the Red Army in the war, he emigrated to Israel to become their leading scientist – but all along he was a spy for the USSR.
MICHEL SIFFRE, aged 85
A scientist who explored the effect of isolation on human beings by living underground in caves for long periods, leading to a new branch of science.
MARK WHEELER, aged 74
An American academic who lived in the UK, he became the expert on Yugoslavia, helping rebuild the country after its dissolution, working for the United Nations.
SYLVAIN SAUDAN, aged 87
An extreme skier, he completed 23 first descents of mountains, invented a new sport and skiing style and broke world records and cheated death on two occasions.
Really Interesting People from the World
JOANNA SIMON, aged 85 and LUCY SIMON, aged 82
Three successful sister musicians. One was an opera singer and TV reporter, another a Broadway producer and score writer – the survivor became a pop superstar.
POPE.L, aged 68
From a poor background he became America’s finest performance artist with many exhibitions, often very controversial and addicted to crawling the streets.
MUTHONI WA KIRIMA, aged 92
Joining the Mau Mau in her native Kenya, to fight against colonial oppression, she rose to become Field Marshal, noted for her bravery and skill in battle.
YANG HUAIDING, aged 71
Rising from poverty as a factory worker, he took a gamble on China’s new stock market and became a multi-millionaire – and a national hero with it.
