In 2016, hearts were broken around the world when George Michael was found dead on the festive morning, but he isn’t the only celebrity to have died on Christmas Day
George Michael died in 2016(Image: AFP/Getty Images)
While Christmas Day is typically a time for joy and celebration, it has also been marked by heartbreaking losses.
In 2016, the world was left in shock when pop icon George Michael was found dead on the festive morning. However, George isn’t the only star to have tragically passed away on Christmas Day.
Here we take a look back at some of the best and brightest stars who tragically lost their lives on December 25.
George Michael and his sister Melanie Panayiotou
George Michael was 53 when he died(Image: AFP/Getty Images)
The world mourned a tragic loss on Christmas Day 2016, when beloved pop sensation George Michael was discovered lifeless at his home in Goring-on-Thames, at the tender age of 53. The star’s partner, Fadi Fawaz, went to rouse him that morning, only to find him unresponsive in bed.
In a statement, Fadi shared: “We were supposed to be going for Christmas lunch. I went round there to wake him up and he was just gone, lying peacefully in bed. Everything had been very complicated recently, but George was looking forward to Christmas, and so was I.”, reports the Mirror.
George and Fadi had been a couple since 2012, and the hairstylist expressed his profound grief over the loss. Shortly after the shocking discovery of George’s body, he tweeted: “It’s a Xmas I will never forget finding your partner dead peacefully in bed first thing in the morning… I will never stop missing you xx”.
The circumstances surrounding George’s death remained a mystery until March the following year, when a coroner determined he had died from natural causes – specifically dilated cardiomyopathy with myocarditis and fatty liver. Dilated cardiomyopathy is a condition affecting the heart muscle, causing it to stretch and thin progressively, which impacts the heart’s ability to pump blood effectively throughout the body.
In a heartbreaking twist of fate, George’s sister Melanie Panayiotou also died on Christmas Day just three years later, aged 59. The family released a statement confirming Melanie “passed away suddenly” during the festive period, after slipping into a diabetic coma.
Charlie Chaplin
Charlie Chaplin’s body and coffin were stolen in a ransom plot, before authorities retrieved him for reburial in a reinforced vault(Image: Bettmann Archive)
Screen legend Charlie Chaplin, born in 1889, endured a difficult upbringing marked by spells in the workhouse and his mother’s committal to a mental institution. Against all expectations, the silent film icon climbed out of poverty to establish himself as one of cinema’s most celebrated and accomplished performers of all time.
By the 1970s, Charlie’s wellbeing started to deteriorate significantly. Following multiple strokes, the icon found himself wheelchair-bound and requiring round-the-clock assistance by October 1977. Tragically, on Christmas Day that year, Charlie passed away aged 88 after suffering a stroke whilst sleeping. Just two days afterwards, a private funeral service was held for the comedy legend.
Charlie bequeathed over $100 million to his widow, which sadly led to a shocking incident where his body and coffin were stolen in a ransom plot, before authorities retrieved him for reburial in a reinforced vault.
James Brown
James Brown fell suddenly ill on December 23, 2006(Image: Getty Images)
Legendary funk musician James Brown fell suddenly ill on December 23, 2006. The 73 year old appeared “very bad… weak and dazed” during a dental appointment, prompting his dentist to recommend immediate medical attention.
The music icon was taken to hospital, where his manager and close friend Charles Bobbit stayed by his side.
In the early hours of Christmas morning, James succumbed to congestive heart failure, brought on by pneumonia complications. Bobbit remained at his bedside, later revealing that James had told him: “I’m going away tonight,” before drifting off to sleep and dying peacefully.
However, certain fans and investigators have questioned whether James’ rapid decline and death occurred naturally, suggesting the singer may have been murdered.
Dean Martin
Dean Martin was 78 when he died(Image: BBC)
Hollywood legend Dean Martin, born Dino Paul Crocetti on 7 June 1917 in Ohio, was a timid youngster who didn’t speak English until starting school at five years old. Everything transformed when he discovered singing, rapidly ascending to become a celebrated comedian, actor and cultural icon of his era.
Much like his fellow Rat Pack performers, Dean had been a lifelong heavy smoker. In September 1993, he received a lung cancer diagnosis but refused to have the recommended operation.
Just two years on, he passed away from acute respiratory failure aged 78 at his Beverly Hills residence. Moving tributes poured in for the legendary entertainer, with the Las Vegas Strip’s lights being dimmed as a mark of respect.
In February 2009, Dean received a posthumous Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his extraordinary career.
Eartha Kitt
Eartha Kitt was 81 when she died(Image: Getty Images)
Legendary vocalist Eartha Kitt passed away from colon cancer aged 81 at her home on Christmas Day 2008. Her daughter, Kitt McDonald, was by her mother’s side during her final moments and shared details of those last hours.
“I was with her when she died. She left this world literally screaming at the top of her lungs. I was with her constantly, she lived not even 3 miles from my house, we were together practically every day. She was home for the last few weeks when the doctor told us there was nothing they could do any more. Up until the last two days, she was still moving around. The doctor told us she will leave very quickly and her body will just start to shut down,” she revealed to Mommy Noire.
“But when she left, she left the world with a bang, she left it how she lived it. She screamed her way out of here, literally. I truly believe her survival instincts were so part of her DNA that she was not going to go quietly or willingly. It was just the two of us hanging out [during the last days] she was very funny. We didn’t have to [talk] because I always knew how she felt about me.
“I was the love of her life, so the last part of her life we didn’t have to have these heart to heart talks. She started to see people that weren’t there. She thought I could see them too, but, of course, I couldn’t. I would make fun of her like, ‘I’m going to go in the other room and you stay here and talk to your friends.'”
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