Famous People who Died of Diabetes

1 - 20 of 20 Historically important and notable famous people who died of diabetes ranked by their popularity on On This Day.

List of Deaths from Diabetes

1616-04-22 Miguel de Cervantes y Saavedra, Spanish author (Don Quixote), dies of likely diabetes at 68
1877-10-29 Nathan Bedford Forrest, American slave trader, Confederate lieutenant general and KKK Grand Wizard, dies of complications from diabetes at 56
1892-03-01 Archibald Scott Couper, Scottish chemist (advances in chemical theory including bonding of carbon atoms), dies of diabetes at 60
1906-10-20 William "Buck" Ewing, American Baseball HOF catcher (NL home run leader 1883 NY Giants; Cincinnati Reds) and manager (NY Giants, Cincinnati Reds), dies of diabetes at 67
1910-06-05 O. Henry [William Sydney Porter], American short story writer (Cabbages and Kings), dies of cirrhosis of the liver, diabetes complications and an enlarged heart at 47
1914-05-13 R. E. Foster, English cricket batsman (8 Tests, 1 x 100, HS 287 on debut 1903; Worcestershire CCC) and soccer forward (5 caps; Corinthian FC, Old Malvernians FC; only man to captain England in both sports), dies of diabetes at 36
1922-08-02 Alexander Graham Bell, Scottish-born British-American inventor (telephone), dies of diabetes complications at 75
1929-08-19 Sergei Diaghilev, Russian ballet director (founder of the Ballets Russes), dies freom complications of diabetes at 57
1930-03-16 Miguel Primo de Rivera, Spanish dictator, Prime Minister of Spain (1923-30) and military officer, dies of fever and diabetes at 60
1931-05-12 Eugène Ysaÿe, Belgian violin virtuoso (Caesar Franck's sonata), composer (Six Sonatas for Solo Violin, op. 27), educator (Brussels Conservatoire, 1881-98), and conductor (Cincinnati Symphony, 1918-22), dies pf complications from diabetes at 72
1931-07-18 Oskar Minkowski, German physiologist and physician (pancreas and diabetes), dies at 73
1931-10-18 Thomas Edison, American inventor (lightbulb, phonograph, motion picture camera), dies of diabetes complications at 84
1932-02-10 Edgar Wallace, English novelist, playwright and journalist (The Terror, The Four Just Men) who created King Kong, dies of diabetes at 76
1948-07-09 James Baskett, American actor (Song of the South) 1st African American male to receive an Oscar, dies from diabetes at 44
1948-07-27 Joe Tinker, American Baseball HOF shortstop (World Series 1907, 08 Chicago Orphans/Cubs) and manager (Cincinnati Reds, Chicago Cubs), dies of complications from diabetes at 68
1951-08-21 (Leonard) Constant Lambert, British composer (The Rio Grande; Horoscope; Summer's Last Will and Testament), and music director (Vic-Wells/Royal Ballet, 1931-47), dies of pneumonia and complications of diabetes and alcoholism at 45
1953-11-16 Sol Hoʻopiʻi [Kaʻaiʻai], Native Hawaiian acoustic and electric lap steel guitar virtuoso, dies of diabetes related kidney failure at 50
1956-12-06 B.R. Ambedkar [Baba Saheb], Indian politician, jurist (architect of the Constitution of India) and social reformer who inspired the Dalit Buddhist Movement, dies after suffering from diabetes at 65
1960-10-06 Douglas Spencer, American actor (The Thing from Another World, This Island Earth, River of No Return), dies from diabetes at 50
1968-02-28 Juanita Hall (née Long), American Tony Award-winning stage and screen actress and singer (South Pacific; Flower Drum Song), dies from complications of diabetes at 66 [some sources give date as Feb. 29]
1969-05-15 Jimmy Wilde, Welsh boxer (Flyweight World Champion, 1916-23), referee, and columnist (News of the World), dies of complications of diabetes and dementia at 76
1971-04-21 François Duvalier "Papa Doc", Dictator and President of Haiti (1957-71), dies of heart disease and diabetes at 64
1972-01-23 Big Maybelle [Mabel Smith], American R&B singer (A Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On; Candy), dies from complications of diabetes at 47
1973-04-27 Carlos Menditeguy, Argentine auto racer (11 x F1 GP) and horse trainer, polo player, dies from diabetes and Parkinson's disease at 57
1974-11-25 Rosemary Lane, American actress (An Angel from Texas, 4 Mothers, Harvest Melody), dies from diabetes and pulmonary obstruction at 61
1980-09-09 John Howard Griffin, American photographer, journalist and author (Black Like Me), dies from complications of diabetes at 60
1984-02-19 Ina Ray Hutton [Odessa Cowan], American singer and big band bandleader (Ina Ray Hutton Show), dies of complications from diabetes at 67
1984-10-23 David Gorcey, actor (Angel's Alley), dies at 63 in a diabetic coma
1986-12-27 Lars-Erik Larsson, Swedish composer (God in Disguise (Förklädd gud, Op. 24); Linden), and pedagogue (Stockholm Conservatory; Uppsala University), dies of complications from diabetes at 78
1988-02-18 Joe Loco [José Esteves, Jr], American Latin jazz pianist and arranger, dies from complications of diabetes at 67
1988-02-28 Harvey Kuenn, American baseball utility (AL batting champion 1959; 10 × All-Star 1953–1960²; Detroit Tigers), dies from heart disease and diabetes at 57
1989-05-17 Dan Alderson, American scientist (Jet Propulsion Laboratory) and sci-fi fandom figure, dies of diabetes at 47
1991-12-25 Mahmood Hussain, Pakistan cricket swing bowler (27 Tests, 68 wickets; Karachi, Pakistan Universities), dies from diabetes mellitus at 59
1992-02-04 John Dehner [Forkum], American actor (The Right Stuff, Big Hawaii, Bare Essence), dies of emphysema and diabetes at 76
1992-08-25 Alma Graciela Haro Esmerelda, singer, dies of diabetes at 65
1992-10-21 Jackson Weaver, voice of Smokey the Bear, dies of diabetes
1993-11-25 Claudia McNeil, actress (Raisin in the Sun), dies of diabetes at 77
1994-07-02 Marion Williams, American gospel singer (Stars of Faith), dies of diabetes at 66
1994-09-22 Mattie Moss Clark, American gospel singer, and music minister, dies of diabetes complications at 69
1994-12-26 Allie Reynolds, American baseball pitcher who won 6 World Series NY Yankees; 6 x MLB All-Star, dies from complications of lymphoma and diabetes at 77
1995-04-02 Julius Hemphill, American jazz saxophonist, and composer, dies from complications of diabetes at 57
1995-10-21 Linda Goodman, American astrologer and poet, dies from complications of diabetes at 70
1996-02-08 Del Ennis, American baseball outfielder (MLB All-Star 1946, 51, 55; NL RBI leader 1950; Philadelphia Phillies), dies from complications of diabetes at 70
1998-11-17 Esther Rolle, Bahamian-American actress (Good Times; Maude), dies from complications of diabetes at 78
1999-12-26 Curtis Mayfield, American singer-songwriter and soul musician ("Freddie's Dead"; "Superfly"), dies from complications of type 2 diabetes at 57
2000-01-02 Nat Adderley, American jazz musician (Work Song), dies from diabetes complications at 68
2000-01-19 Bettino Craxi, Italian socialist politician (Prime Minister, 1983-87), dies from complications of diabetes at 65
2000-09-23 Carl Rowan, American syndicated journalist (Chicago Sun-Times, Washington bureau), and diplomat, dies of diabetes related heart and kidney issues at 75
2001-07-03 Johnny Russell, American country songwriter (Act Naturally; Let's Fall To Pieces Together), singer and comedian dies of complications from diabetes at 61
2001-08-03 Christopher Hewett, British actor (Mr. Belvedere; The Producers) and theater director, dies of complications from diabetes at 80
2002-02-13 Waylon Jennings, American 'outlaw' country singer-songwriter, and guitarist ("This Time", "Good Hearted Woman", "I'm A Ramblin' Man"), dies of diabetic complications at 64
2002-03-17 Rosetta LeNoire, American actress (Family Matters, The Brother from Another Planet), dies from diabetes at 90
2002-09-14 LaWanda Page [Alberta Peal], American actress (Sanford & Son - "Aunt Esther"), dies of complications from diabetes at 81
2002-11-05 Vinnette Carroll, American actress and 1st African-American woman to direct on Broadway (1972: Don't Bother Me, I Can't Cope), dies of heart disease and diabetes at 80
2003-04-17 Earl King, American R&B and blues guitarists, singer, and songwriter ("Come On"; "Big Chief"), dies from diabetes-related complications at 69
2003-08-18 Tony Jackson, British bass player (The Searchers, 1962-64 - "Sugar And Spice"), dies from a combination of diabetes, heart disease, and cirrhosis of the liver at 65
2004-02-23 Don Cornell [Luigi Varlaro], American pop singer (Sammy Kaye Orchestra - "Room Full of Roses; solo - "Hold My Hand"), dies of emphysema and diabetes at 84
2004-03-26 Jan Sterling [Jane Adriance], American actress (Ace in the Hole, The High and the Mighty), dies of diabetes and a stroke at 82
2004-10-26 Bobby Ávila, Mexican Baseball Hall of Fame second baseman (MLB All-Star 1952, 54, 55; AL batting champion 1954; Cleveland Indians), dies of diabetes and lung ailment at 80
2004-12-20 (Frank) "Son" Seals, American blues musician ("Nothing But the Truth"), dies from diabetes complications at 62
2005-06-01 George Mikan, American Basketball Hall of Fame center (NBA All-Star 1951-54; NBL MVP 1948; Minneapolis Lakers), dies of diabetes complications at 80
2005-07-04 Hank Stram, American Pro Football Hall of Fame coach (KC Chiefs Super Bowl 1970), dies of diabetes complications at 82
2005-08-13 David Lange, 32nd Prime Minister of New Zealand (Labour: 1984-89), dies of complications associated with renal failure and diabetes at 63
2005-10-20 Shirley Horn, American jazz pianist and vocalist (Embers and Ashes), dies from complications of diabetes at 71
2006-03-06 King Floyd, American soul singer-songwriter ("Groove Me"), dies of complications of a stroke and diabetes at 61
2006-04-30 Pramoedya Ananta Toer, Javanese author (Anak semua bangsa), dies of complications from diabetes and heart disease at 81
2007-02-02 Billy Henderson, American pop and R&B singer (The Spinners, 1954-2004 - "The Rubberband Man"), dies from complications of diabetes at 67
2007-02-03 Pedro Knight, Cuban-American trumpeter, husband and manager of legendary singer Celia Cruz, dies from complications of diabetes at 85
2007-03-18 Bob Woolmer, English cricket all-rounder (19 Tests, 3 x 100, HS 149, 4 wickets; Kent CCC, Natal, Western Province) and coach (Pakistan, South Africa), dies of diabetes at 58
2007-03-19 Luther Ingram, American R&B singer-songwriter ("(If Loving You Is Wrong) I Don't Want to Be Right"; "I'll Be Your Shelter"), dies of diabetes related heart failure at 69
2008-03-24 Chalmers "Spanky" Alford‎, American gospel, neo-soul, and session guitarist (Mighty Clouds of Joy; Raphael Saadiq; D'Angelo), dies of complications from diabetes at 52
2008-10-18 (Deliah) "Dee Dee" Warwick, American soul singer, dies of complications from diabetes at 66
2008-12-13 Horst Tappert, German director, actor and former SS member (Derrick), dies of diabetes at 85
2009-02-20 Larry H. Miller, American businessman and owner of NBA's Utah Jazz, died of complications from type-2 diabetes at 64
2010-06-06 Marvin Isley, American rock bassist, and songwriter (The Isley Brothers, 1969-84 & 1991-97 - "Fight The Power"), dies from complications of diabetes at 56
2011-03-15 Melvin Sparks, American soul-jazz, hard bop, jazz-blues, and session guitarist (Lou Donaldson, Houston Person, Jimmy McGriff), dies from complications of diabetes at 64
2011-11-03 Matty Alou, Dominican baseball outfielder (NL batting champion 1966; MLB All-Star 1968-69; Pittsburgh Pirates), dies of diabetes complications at 72
2012-01-09 Malam Bacai Sanhá, President of Guinea-Bissau, dies of diabetes at 64
2012-10-02 Big Jim Sullivan [Tomkins], British session and touring rock guitarist, sitar, and banjo player, dies of heart disease and diabetes at 71
2012-11-02 Milt Campbell, American decathlete (Olympic gold 1956), dies from prostate cancer and diabetes at 78
2012-11-25 Earl "Speedoo" Carroll, American doo-wop vocalist (Cadillacs; The Coasters), dies of complications from diabetes and a stroke at 75
2012-12-20 Jimmy McCracklin, American pianist, dies from diabetes and hypertension at 91
2013-03-03 Bobby Rogers, American pop and soul tenor vocalist (The Miracles - "You've Really Got a Hold on Me"), and songwriter ("Going To A Go-Go"; "The Way You Do the Things You Do"), dies from complications from diabetes at 73
2013-04-12 Michael France, American screenwriter, dies from complications from diabetes at 51
2013-06-06 Tom Sharpe, British satirist and author, dies from complications from diabetes at 85
2014-03-29 Billy Mundi [also Tony Schnasse, born Antonio Salas], American session musician and drummer (The Mothers of Invention; Rhinoceros), dies of complications from diabetes at 71
2014-03-31 Frankie Knuckles [Francis Warren Nicholls, Jr.], American DJ and record producer who popularized house music in Chicago during the 1980s, dies of diabetes at 59
2015-02-12 Gary Owens [Altman], American disc jockey, TV announcer (Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In; The Gong Show), and voice actor, dies of diabetes complications at 80
2015-02-21 Bruce Sinofsky, American documentary film director (Brother's Keeper), dies at 58 from diabetes complications
2016-02-29 Aron Burton, American electric and Chicago blues bass guitarist, singer, and songwriter, dies of heart disease and diabetes at 77
2016-03-22 Phife Dawg [Malik Taylor] American rapper (A Tribe called Quest), dies from diabetes complications at 45
2016-06-17 Prince Be [Attrell Cordes], American rapper (PM Dawn), dies from diabetes complications at 46
2017-05-22 (Granville) "Mickey" Roker, American jazz drummer (Art Farmer; Milt Jackson; Dizzy Gillespie), dies suffering from diabetes and lung cancer at 84
2017-06-16 Stephen Furst, American actor (Animal House, St. Elsewhere), dies from diabetes complications at 63
2017-09-06 Jim McDaniels, American basketball forward (All American 1971; Western Kentucky Uni; No. 1 overall pick ABA Draft 1971; ABA All-Star 1972; Carolina Cougars), dies from diabetes complications at 69
2017-12-17 Kevin Mahogany, American jazz vocalist ("Double Rainbow"; "Pride And Joy"), dies of diabetes complications at 59
2018-05-01 Javier Aller, Spanish actor (The Biggest Robbery Never Told), dies at 46 of complications from diabetes
2018-06-03 Clarence Fountain, American Grammy Award-winning gospel singer (The Blind Boys of Alabama), dies of complications of diabetes at 88
2018-12-17 Penny Marshall, American actress (The Odd Couple; Laverne & Shirley), and director (Big; Awakenings; A League of Their Own), and producer (Cinderella Man), dies of diabetes complications at 75
2019-01-23 Oliver Mtukudzi, Zimbabwean Afro-Jazz and 'tuku' singer-songwriter and guitarist (Sarawoga; Tolerance; Tuku Music), dies of diabetes complications at 66
2019-02-01 Wade Wilson, American NFL quarterback, 1981-1998 (Dallas Cowboys - Super Bowl 1995, Minnesota Vikings - Pro Bowl 1988, and 3 other teams), dies of complications from Type 1 diabetes on his 60th birthday
2019-02-03 Matti Nykänen, Finnish ski jumper (4 Olympic gold 1984, 88), dies of diabetes complications at 55
2019-02-05 Guy Webster, American celebrity portrait photographer, album cover artist (The Byrds; The Mamas & the Papas; Taj Mahal; Rolling Stones), and educator, dies of liver cancer and diabetes complications at 79
2021-06-24 Benigno Aquino III, 15th President of the Philippines (Liberal Party: 2010-16), dies of diabetes related kidney failure at 61
2022-02-24 Va'aiga Tuigamala, Samoan rugby union centre/winger (19 Tests NZ, 23 Samoa; Newcastle Falcons, Auckland RU) and rugby league (2 Tests, Samoa; Wigan Warriors), dies from diabetes at 52
2022-09-06 Dan Schachte, American ice hockey linesman (Canada Cup 1991; World Cup of Hockey 1996; Winter Olympics 2002; Stanley Cup Finals 1997, 98, 2000, 01, 02), dies from diabetes complications at 64