We remember the legends we said goodbye to in 2021

As we welcome 2022,
let’s not forget those we said farewell to in 2021. 

Let’s pause to remember those local and international
legends and icons who inspired us, entertained us,
and who will always be remembered.

	Betty White		Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu		Mike Nesmith
	1922 – 2021		1931 - 2021		1942 - 2021
	We thought she would live forever.  “Golden Girls” icon, Betty White died three weeks short of her 100th birthday.		The Nobel Laureate who was post-apartheid South Africa’s moral compass and the driver of its troubled reconciliation process, died at the age of 90.		Mike Nesmith, singer, guitarist and songwriter with the legendary 1960s pop group, The Monkees, died at the age of 78.
	Wilbur Smith		President FW de Klerk		Alan Lancaster
	1933 - 2021		1936 - 1921		1949 - 2021
	The legendary author Wilbur Smith, 88 years old, died at his home in South Africa. Wilbur Smith was an iconic writer and leaves behind a treasure-trove of novels.		Former South African President FW de Klerk died after his struggle against cancer. He was 85 years old. He is survived by his wife Elita, two children Susan and Jan, and his grandchildren.		Alan Lancaster, the legendary Status Quo bass-playing founding member died at his family home in Sydney, Australia, aged, 72. Alan died after a battle with Multiple Sclerosis
	Jimmy Greaves		Jonathan Ball		Ed Asner
	1940 – 2021		1951 - 2021		1929 - 2021
	Jimmy Greaves died on 19 September 2021, aged 81.  Greaves was Tottenham's record goalscorer after scoring 266 times in 379 games.  He was a member of England's World Cup-winning squad in 1966.		He established the publishing house carrying his name in 1976 and was a larger-than-life personality who ushered in a new era of publishing in South Africa.		Ed Asner will be remembered as the gruff newsman, Lou Grant, in the classic TV series “The Mary Tyler Moore Show”. Asner won three Emmys for his work on this show.  He died, aged 91.
	Charlie Watts		Don Everly		Clive Scott
	1941 - 2021		1937 - 2021		1937 - 2021
	One of the greatest drummers of our generation! Watts, the Rolling Stones drummer was a cherished husband, father and grandfather.		One of the iconic Everly Brothers died, aged 84.		Beloved South African actor, comedian, Director and entertainment legend,  passed away at the age of 84.
	Kenneth Kaunda		Gavin MacLeod		King Goodwill Zwelithini
	1924 – 2021		1931 - 2021		1948 - 2021
	Zambian President Kenneth Kaunda, also known as “The Great Son of Africa” died, aged 97.		The Captain of "The Love Boat" died at age 90.		Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini died at the age of 72. He was the reigning King of the Zulu nation from 1968 to his death.
	Queen Mantfombi Dlamini-Zulu		Prince Philip		Menzi Ngubane
	1953 - 2021		1921 - 2021		1964 - 2021
	Queen Mantfombi Dlamini-Zulu, 65, died almost two months after the passing away of her husband, King Goodwill Zwelithini.		In April 2021, Her Majesty, the Queen, announced the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, who passed away peacefully at Windsor Castle at the age of 99, two months short of his 100th birthday.		Menzi Ngubane sadly passed away at the age of 56. This veteran South African actor was known for his long-running roles on Generations.
	Karima Brown		Mary Wilson		Christopher Plummer
	1967 - 2021		1944 - 2021		1929 - 2021
	Veteran journalist Karima Brown passed away on 4 March 2021.  Karima Brown was a prolific and well-known South African senior journalist and commentator, with deep footprints in print and broadcast media.		An original member of the Supremes, Mary Wilson died aged 76.		Best-known for his role in The Sound of Music, The Man Who Would Be King and Murder By Decree, Christopher Plummer, aged 91, died peacefully in February 2021, with his wife by his side.
	Percy Tucker		Cicely Tyson		Sibongile Khumalo
	1928 - 2021		1924 - 2021		1957 - 2021
	South African entertainment has lost an industry pioneer in Percival “Percy” Tucker, the founder of Computicket who died at the age of 92.		Actress Cicely Tyson, who specialised in portraying strong Black women caught up in life's struggles during a 60-year career that earned her three Emmys and a Tony Award, died aged 96.		This South African jazz legend was known as The First Lady of Song as termed by Nelson Mandela and was a celebrated and multi-award winning musician. She released several critically acclaimed and award-winning albums and graced a variety of prestigious events both locally and internationally.
	Larry King		Alvon Collison		Minister Jackson Mthembu
	1933 - 2021		1941 - 2021		1958 - 2021
	TV veteran host and broadcaster, Larry King was renowned across radio, TV and digital media for his thousands of interviews, awards and global acclaim which stands as a testament to his unique and lasting talent as a broadcaster.  Larry King died at the age of 87.		A beloved South African legend and veteran entertainer.  Collison, also known as the "King of Cabaret" has been a household name since 1974. In 2018, he received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Fleur du Cap Theatre Awards for his many decades in the industry.		Minister in the Presidency Jackson Mthembu was described by President Cyril Ramaphosa as an exemplary leader, an activist and life-long champion of freedom and democracy.

* Please note that some of the above links may require a Facebook account to access

Recent YEI articles

https://youve-earned-it.co.za/healthcare/attitude-of-gratitude-improve-senior-health/

The year that was… YEI Top Ten Articles – 2021

Best of the Best – YEI’s Top Ten Facebook posts – 2021