obituaries

Bill Richardson, former UN ambassador who worked to free detained Americans, dies at 75

By Eric Tucker, Associated Press

Bill Richardson, a two-term Democratic governor of New Mexico and an American ambassador to the United Nations who also worked for years to secure the release of Americans detained by foreign adversaries, has died…

Jimmy Buffett, American singer of ‘Margaritaville’ fame, dies at 76

By Mark Kennedy, Associated Press

Singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett, who popularized beach bum soft rock with the escapist Caribbean-flavored song “Margaritaville” and turned that celebration of loafing into a billion-dollar empire of restaurants, resorts and frozen concoctions, has died. He was 76.

Joe the Plumber, who questioned Obama’s tax policies during the 2008 election, dies at 49

By John Seewer, Associated Press

Samuel Wurzelbacher was thrust into the spotlight after questioning Barack Obama about his economic policies during the 2008 presidential campaign.

Bob Barker, popular host of ‘The Price Is Right’, dies at 99, publicist says

By Frazier Moore, Associated Press

A publicist says popular game show host Bob Barker, a household name for a half-century as host of “Truth or Consequences” and “The Price Is Right,” has died at his home in Los Angeles. Barker was 99.

James Buckley, conservative senator and brother of late writer William F. Buckley, dies at 100

By Associated Press

Buckley spent a single term in the 1970s in the Senate, where the conservative was one of the first Republican lawmakers to call for President Richard Nixon's resignation in the Watergate scandal.

Singer and songwriter Sixto Rodriguez, subject of ‘Searching for Sugarman’ documentary, dies at 81

By Corey Williams, Associated Press

Rodriguez' albums flopped in the United States in the 1970s but — unknown to him — he later became a star in South Africa where his protest songs inspired white liberals horrified by the country's brutal racial segregation system of…

Sheila Oliver, New Jersey’s lieutenant governor and a prominent Black leader, dies at 71

By Mike Catalini, Associated Press

Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver, who rose to become one of New Jersey's most prominent Black leaders and passionately advocated for revitalizing cities and against gun violence, died Tuesday after a sudden illness.

Angus Cloud, breakout star of ‘Euphoria,’ is dead at 25

By Associated Press

In a statement, Cloud's family said he had "intensely struggled" with the recent loss of his father. Cloud hadn't acted before he was cast in "Euphoria." The part made Cloud the breakout star of one the buzziest shows in television.

Sinéad O’Connor, gifted and provocative Irish singer, dies at 56

By Sylvia Hui, Associated Press

The gifted and troubled Irish performer was known for her shaved head and for her fierce and expressive voice.

Jane Birkin, actor, singer and style icon, dies in Paris at 76

By John Leicester, Associated Press

Actor and singer Jane Birkin, who made France her home and charmed the country with her English grace, natural style and social activism, has died at age 76.