One would have to go back hundreds of years to find a monarch who reigned longer than Queen Elizabeth II.
Her death in September was arguably the most high-profile death this year, prompting a collective outpouring of grief and respect for her steady leadership as well as some criticism of the monarchy’s role in colonialism. She likely met more people than anyone in history, and her image — on stamps, coins and banknotes — was among the most reproduced in the world.
The year also saw the assassination of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who was fatally shot during a campaign speech in July.
Here is a roll call of some influential figures who died in 2022:
JANUARY
Sheikh Saleh bin Mohammed al-Luhaidan, 90
An influential Saudi cleric who once served for years as head of the kingdom’s Shariah courts and whose ultraconservative views sparked outcry. Jan. 5.
Birju Maharaj, 83
A legend of classical Indian dance and among the country’s most well-known performing artists. Jan. 17.
Meat Loaf, 74
The rock superstar loved by millions for his “Bat Out of Hell” album and for such theatrical, dark-hearted anthems as “Paradise By the Dashboard Light,” “Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad,” and “I’d Do Anything for Love (But I Won’t Do That).” Jan. 20.
FEBRUARY
Lata Mangeshkar, 92
A legendary Indian singer with a prolific, groundbreaking catalog and a voice recognized by more than a billion people in South Asia. Feb. 6.
Bappi Lahiri, 69
A popular Bollywood singer and composer who won millions of fans with his penchant for feet-tapping disco music in the 1980s and 1990s. Feb. 15.
MARCH
Shane Warne, 52
He was regarded as one of the greatest players, most astute tacticians and ultimate competitors in the long history of cricket. March 4.
Madeleine Albright, 84
A child refugee from Nazi- and then Soviet-dominated Eastern Europe who rose to become the first female secretary of state and a mentor to many current and former American statesmen and women. March 23.
APRIL
Orrin G. Hatch, 88
The longest-serving Republican senator in history who was a fixture in Utah politics for more than four decades. April 23.
MAY
Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, 73
The United Arab Emirates’ long-ailing ruler and president who oversaw much of the country’s blistering economic growth and whose name was immortalized on the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa. May 13.
JUNE
Mark Shields, 85
A political commentator and columnist who shared his insight into American politics and wit on “PBS NewsHour” for decades. June 18.
Sonny Barger, 83
The leather-clad fixture of 1960s counterculture and figurehead of the Hells Angels motorcycle club who was at the notorious Rolling Stones concert at Altamont Speedway. June 29.
JULY
Shinzo Abe, 67
Japan’s longest serving prime minister, he was also perhaps the most polarizing, complex politician in recent Japanese history. July 8. Fatally shot during a campaign speech.
Ivana Trump, 73
A skier-turned-businesswoman who formed half of a publicity power couple in the 1980s as the first wife of former President Donald Trump and mother of his oldest children. July 14. Injuries suffered in an accident.
AUGUST
Rakesh Jhunjhunwala, 62
A veteran stock market investor and Indian billionaire nicknamed India’s own Warren Buffett. Aug. 14.
Dr. Nafis Sadik, 92
A Pakistani doctor who championed women’s health and rights and spearheaded the breakthrough action plan adopted by 179 countries at the 1994 United Nations population conference. Aug. 14.
Mikhail Gorbachev, 91
The last leader of the Soviet Union, he set out to revitalize it but ended up unleashing forces that led to the collapse of communism, the breakup of the state and the end of the Cold War. Aug. 30.
SEPTEMBER
Queen Elizabeth II, 96
Britain’s longest-reigning monarch and a rock of stability across much of a turbulent century. Sept. 8.
OCTOBER
Anita Kerr, 94
A Grammy-winning singer and composer whose vocal group the Anita Kerr Singers provided the lush backdrop to the Nashville Sound. Oct. 10.
NOVEMBER
Ibrahim Munir, 85
The former acting leader of Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood. Nov. 4.
Archbishop Chrysostomos II, 81
The outspoken leader of Cyprus’ Greek Orthodox Christian Church whose forays into the country’s complex politics and finances fired up supporters and detractors alike. Nov. 7.
Jiang Zemin, 96
He led China out of isolation after the army crushed the Tiananmen Square pro-democracy protests in 1989 and supported economic reforms that led to a decade of explosive growth. Nov. 30.
DECEMBER
Pelé, 82
The Brazilian king of soccer who won a record three World Cups and became one of the most commanding sports figures of the last century — as soccer’s most prolific scorer with Brazilian club Santos and the Brazil national team. Dec. 29.
