People We Lost In 2012

From former Cosmopolitan editor-in-chief Helen Gurley Brown to celebrated children’s book author Maurice Sendak, the world has lost some phenomenal creative talents, powerful decision makers and community activists this year.

Click through the gallery to see other respected figures who passed away in 2012.

Author Bryce Courtenay died, age 79.

Celebrated pop-singer Whitney Houston died on February 11, from accidental drowning.

Nora Ephron, who was nominated for three Academy Awards for Best Writing (Original Screenplay) and is best known for her romantic comedies, passed away on June 26.

Philanthropist Dame Elisabeth Murdoch has died at the age of 103. Dame Elisabeth was married to pioneering Australian journalist Sir Keith Murdoch. She died on December 5.

Maurice Sendak, children's author of 'Where The Wild Things Are', died on May 8 from complications of a stroke.

Sally Ride broke the proverbial glass ceiling, and became the first American woman to be launched into space in 1983. She remains the youngest American astronaut ever to go into space.

Undisputed disco queen Donna Summer died on May 17 after being diagnosed with lung cancer.

Australian Greg Ham (second from left) from the band Men At Work passed away on April 19.

Rapper Adam Yauch, founding member of The Beastie Boys, died at the age of 47 in New York.

Andy-Williams

Pop-singer Etta James, who sang 'At Last,' died in January aged 73.

Florence Green was the last surviving veteran of the First World War. She died at 110 years of age on February 4.

Gore Vidal was an American writer best known for his essays, novels, screenplays and Broadway plays. He died on July 31.

American lyricist Hal David passed away on September 1. He is known for such songs as

Jerry Nelson, who worked with The Muppets and on Sesame Street, passed away on August 23.

Neil Armstrong, the first man to walk on the moon, died on August 25.

Ray Bradbury, author of Fahrenheit 451, passed away on June 5.

Richard Dawson, the original host of Family Feud, passed away on June 2.

Robin Gibb, a member of the Bee Gees, passed away on May 20 after losing a battle with cancer.

Director Tony Scott died on August 19, after committing suicide.

Larry Hagman, best known for his role in American television series Dallas, died on November 23.

Indian musician Ravi Shankar, father of Norah Jones, died on December 11.

Fearless woman and former editor-in-chief of Cosmopolitan magazine Helen Gurley Brown passed away on August 19.

Meles Zenawi was the Prime Minister of Ethiopia from 1995 until his death in 2012.

Did you lose anyone close to you in 2012?

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Remembering those we lost in 2012.

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