Deaths in December 2021

The following is a list of deaths that should be noted in December 2021. For deaths that should be noted before the month that the world is in, please see "Months". Names under each date are noted in the order of the alphabet by last name or pseudonym. Deaths of non-humans are noted here also if it is worth noting.

Each listing of death, must have a source. If no reference is included, the death notice will be removed. The following are the requirements of adding a name to the list in its order: name, age, where they came from, what the person is known for, cause of death (if known) and a source.

December

1
Jacqueline Avant, 81, American philanthropist, shot.
Rudolf Bernhardt, 96, German lawyer, President of the European Court of Human Rights (1998).
Ben Boo, 96, American politician, Mayor of Duluth (1967–1975) and member of the Minnesota House of Representatives (1984–1993).
Bertram Bowyer, 2nd Baron Denham, 94, British politician, member of the House of Lords (1949–2021) and Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms (1979–1991).
John Cunningham, 83, Scottish Roman Catholic prelate, Bishop of Galloway (2004–2014).
Jean Demannez, 72, Belgian politician, Mayor of Saint-Josse-ten-Noode (1999–2012).
Abla Farhoud, 76, Canadian writer.
Grand Jojo, 85, Belgian singer.
Anna-Liisa Hyvönen, 95, Finnish politician, MP (1972–1980).
Enrique Jackson, 75, Mexican politician, member (1997–2006) and President of the Senate (2000–2001, 2002–2004, 2005–2006) and Deputy (2015–2018), heart attack.
Alvin Lucier, 90, American composer (I Am Sitting in a Room, Music on a Long Thin Wire).
Almerindo Marques, 81, Portuguese businessman, banker and politician, Deputy (1983–1985) and President of Rádio e Televisão de Portugal (2002–2008).
Keiko Nobumoto, 57, Japanese screenwriter (Cowboy Bebop, Wolf's Rain, Tokyo Godfathers), esophageal cancer.
Nikolai Paltsev, 72, Russian politician, Mayor of Stavropol (2008–2011).
Rudolf Pohl, 97, German Roman Catholic prelate.
Alan Clive Roberts, 87, British materials scientist and engineer.
Razi Shirazi, 94, Iranian jurist and philosopher.
Petr Uhl, 80, Czech journalist, activist and politician, member of the Federal Assembly (1990–1992).
Miroslav Zikmund, 102, Czech writer and explorer.

2
Giuseppe Chiaretti, 88, Italian Roman Catholic prelate, Archbishop of Perugia–Città della Pieve (1995–2009).
Richard Cole, 75, English music manager (Led Zeppelin).
Jos Dupré, 93, Belgian politician, Mayor of Westerlo (1977–1982, 1989–1996).
Aldo Giordano, 67, Italian Roman Catholic prelate, Apostolic Nuncio to Venezuela (2013–2021) and the European Union (since 2021), COVID-19.
Gérard Grandval, 91, French architect.
Darlene Hard, 85, American Hall of Fame tennis player.
Hong Sung-woo, 81, South Korean politician, MP (1979–1988).
Joaquín Jiménez Hidalgo, 85, Spanish politician, Senator (1982–1986).
Richard Lerner, 83, American chemist.
Bill McKenzie, Baron McKenzie of Luton, 75, British politician and life peer, member of the House of Lords (since 2004).
Poedjono Pranyoto, 85, Indonesian military officer and politician, Regent of Cilacap (1979–1987), Governor of Lampung (1988–1997) and Deputy Speaker of the MPR-R (1997–1999).
Sir Antony Sher, 72, South African-born British actor (Stanley, Shakespeare in Love, The Wolfman), cancer.
Lovro Šturm, 83, Slovenian lawyer and politician, President of the Constitutional Court (1997–1998) and Minister of Justice (2004–2008).
Lawrence Weiner, 79, American conceptual artist.

3
Güldal Akşit, 61, Turkish politician, Minister of Culture and Tourism (2002–2003), COVID-19.
Eileen Ash, 110, English cricketer (Middlesex, national team).
Jean Briane, 91, French politician, Deputy (1971–2002).
Lamine Diack, 88, Senegalese businessman, sports administrator, and athlete, president of the IAAF (1999–2015).
Horst Eckel, 89, German footballer (1. FC Kaiserslautern, SV Röchling Völklingen, West Germany national team), world champion (1954).
Wout Holverda, 63, Dutch footballer (Sparta, Fortuna Sittard), COVID-19.
Claude Humphrey, 77, American Hall of Fame football player (Atlanta Falcons, Philadelphia Eagles).
Saul Raiz, 91, Brazilian politician, Mayor of Curitiba (1975–1979).
Edward Shames, 99, American Army colonel, last surviving officer of Easy Company.
Charlotte Mailliard Shultz, 88, American socialite, problems caused by breast cancer.
Nina Urgant, 92, Russian actress (Tamer of Tigers, Belorussian Station, Bonus).
Alfonso Vallejo, 78, Spanish playwright and poet.
Momčilo Vukotić, 71, Serbian footballer (FK Partizan, FC Girondins de Bordeaux, Yugoslavia national team).
Jōji Yanami, 90, Japanese voice actor (Dragon Ball, Time Bokan, One Piece).

4
John Barton, 77, British businessman, Chairman of Next plc and EasyJet.
Hans Blohm, 94, German-Canadian photographer and author.
Sabbaruddin Chik, 79, Malaysian politician, MP (1982–1999) and Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture (1987–1996), COVID-19.
Martha De Laurentiis, 67, American movie producer (Breakdown, Hannibal, U-571), cancer.
Vinod Dua, 67, Indian journalist (Doordarshan, NDTV India), problems caused by COVID-19.
Mahmoud Hammoud, 57, Lebanese football player (Nejmeh, national team) and manager (Shabab Sahel), COVID-19.
Stonewall Jackson, 89, American country singer ("Waterloo", "B.J. the D.J.", "I Washed My Hands in Muddy Water"), vascular dementia.
Gertraud Jesserer, 77, Austrian actress (Eva, My Daughter and I, I Learned It from Father), house fire.
Paul Lannoye, 82, Belgian politician, MEP (1989–2004).
Boris Misnik, 83, Russian politician, Deputy (1995–2000).
Pierre Rabhi, 83, Algerian-born French environmentalist.
Konijeti Rosaiah, 88, Indian politician, Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh (2009–2010), Governor of Tamil Nadu (2011–2016) and Karnataka (2014).

5
Peter Cundall, 94, English-born Australian horticulturalist and television host (Gardening Australia).
Jean-Paul Didierlaurent, 59, French writer, cancer.
Bob Dole, 98, American politician, member of the U.S. House of Representatives (1961–1969) and U.S. Senator from Kansas (1969–1996), 1996 presidential candidate, lung cancer.
Aurelio Galfetti, 85, Swiss architect.
Christine Haidegger, 79, Austrian writer.
Stevan Jelovac, 32, Serbian basketball player (JuveCaserta, Brose Bamberg, CAI Zaragoza), problems caused by a cerebral hemorrhage.
M. Sarada Menon, 98, Indian psychiatrist.
Buddy Merrill, 85, American steel guitarist (The Lawrence Welk Show).
John Miles, 72, British singer-songwriter and musician ("Music").
Bunu Sheriff Musa, 74, Nigerian administrator and engineer.
Mark Rudinstein, 75, Russian movie producer, actor and television presenter, founder of Kinotavr.
Bill Staines, 74, American folk musician, prostate cancer.
Jacques Tits, 91, Belgian-born French mathematician (Tits alternative, Tits group, Tits metric).
Renato Turano, 79, Italian politician, Senator (2006–2008, 2013–2018).
Demetrio Volcic, 90, Italian journalist (La Repubblica, TG1) and politician, MEP (1999–2004).
Osamu Yatabe, 89, Japanese lawyer and politician, member of the House of Councillors (1974–1998).

6
Hussein Suleiman Abu Saleh, 91, Sudanese politician, Minister of Foreign Affairs (1988–1989, 1993–1995).
André Aschieri, 84, French politician, Deputy (1997–2002).
Ebrahim Ismail Ebrahim, 84, South African politician and anti-apartheid activist.
George Fleming, 83, American football player (Winnipeg Blue Bombers) and politician, member of the Washington House of Representatives (1969–1971) and Senate (1971–1991).
Glenn Foster, 31, American football player (New Orleans Saints).
Emma Gapchenko, 83, Russian archer, Olympic bronze medalist (1972).
Martin Grüber, 84, German politician, Mayor of Offenburg (1975–1989).
Fred Hiatt, 66, American journalist, editor, and columnist (The Washington Post), cardiac arrest.
Thomas W. Horton, 101, New Zealand pilot (RNZAF, RAF).
Olha Ilkiv, 101, Ukrainian Insurgent Army liaison officer.
János Kóbor, 78, Hungarian singer (Omega), COVID-19.
Medina Spirit, 3, American Thoroughbred racehorse, Kentucky Derby winner (2021), heart attack.
Eugenio Minasso, 62, Italian politician, Deputy (2008–2013), problems caused by COVID-19.
Marvin Morgan, 38, English footballer (Plymouth Argyle, Aldershot Town, Shrewsbury Town).
Aldo Rebecchi, 75, Italian politician, Deputy (1987–2001).
Masayuki Uemura, 78, Japanese video game engineer (Nintendo).
Kåre Willoch, 93, Norwegian politician, MP (1958–1989), Minister of Trade (1963, 1965–1970) and Prime Minister (1981–1986).

7
Carol Jenkins Barnett, 65, American businesswoman (Publix), problems caused by Alzheimer's disease.
Mustafa Ben Halim, 100, Libyan politician, Prime Minister (1954–1957) and Minister of Foreign Affairs (1954–1956).
Catherine Fournier, 66, French politician, Senator (since 2017).
Pavel Hůla, 69, Czech classical violinist (Kocian Quartet, Pražák Quartet) and music educator.
Yury Karabasov, 82, Russian academic and politician, member of the State Duma (2007–2011).
Philippe Stevens, 84, Belgian Roman Catholic prelate, Bishop of Maroua-Makolo (1994–2014).
Greg Tate, 64, American music critic (The Village Voice) and musician (Burnt Sugar), co-founder of the Black Rock Coalition.

8
Chris Achilleos, 74, Cypriot-born British illustrator.
Ignacio Cabezón, 66–67, Spanish politician, Mayor of Neda (2007–2015).
Sylwester Chęciński, 91, Polish movie and television director (Katastrofa, Sami swoi, Kochaj albo rzuć).
Kristina Đukić, 21, Serbian YouTuber, suicide.
Gerry Foley, 89, American-Canadian ice hockey player (New York Rangers, Toronto Maple Leafs, Los Angeles Kings).
Mitsutoshi Furuya, 85, Japanese manga artist (Dame Oyaji, Bar Lemon Heart), cancer.
Igor Gamula, 61, Ukrainian-Russian footballer (Zaria Voroshilovgrad, SKA Rostov-on-Don) and manager (Rostov).
Barry Harris, 91, American jazz musician, problems caused by COVID-19.
Susana Higuchi, 71, Peruvian politician, First Lady (1990–1994) and Deputy (2000–2006), cancer.
Lars Høgh, 62, Danish footballer (Odense Boldklub, national team) and coach, pancreatic cancer.
Blackjack Lanza, 86, American Hall of Fame professional wrestler (WWWF, WWA, AWA).
Richie Lewis, 55, American baseball player (Florida Marlins, Detroit Tigers, Oakland Athletics).
Alfredo Moreno, 41, Argentine footballer (Celaya, Ascenso MX, Shandong Luneng), stomach cancer.
Bipin Rawat, 63, Indian military officer, Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee (2019) and Chief of the Army Staff (2016–2019) and Defence Staff (since 2020), air crash.
Robbie Shakespeare, 68, Jamaican bassist (Sly and Robbie, Black Uhuru) and record producer, problems caused by kidney surgery.
Lakhbinder Singh Lidder, 52, Indian Army officer air crash.
Andrzej Zieliński, 85, Polish sprinter, Olympic silver medalist (1964).
Jacques Zimako, 69, French footballer (Bastia, Saint-Étienne, national team).

9
Shamim Alam Khan, 84, Pakistani military officer, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (1991–1994), COVID-19.
Brian Aldridge, 81, New Zealand cricket umpire.
Ryszard Brzuzy, 60, Polish trade unionist and politician, Deputy (1989–1991).
Robert Jervis, 81, American politologist.
Giosuè Ligios, 92, Italian politician, Senator (1972–1983) and MEP (1979–1989).
Aleksandr Neumyvakin, 81, Russian politician, Deputy (1989–1991).
Otar Patsatsia, 92, Georgian politician, Prime Minister (1993–1995), COVID-19.
Carmen Salinas, 82, Mexican actress (María Mercedes, Abrázame muy fuerte, Under the Same Moon) and politician, Deputy (2015–2018), problems caused by a stroke.
Larry Sellers, 72, American actor (Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman).
Demaryius Thomas, 33, American football player (Denver Broncos, New York Jets, Houston Texans), Super Bowl champion (2016).
Al Unser, 82, American Hall of Fame racing driver, four-time Indianapolis 500 winner, IndyCar champion (1983, 1985), liver cancer.
Lina Wertmüller, 93, Italian movie director (Seven Beauties, Love and Anarchy, Swept Away) and screenwriter.
Cara Williams, 96, American actress (The Defiant Ones, Pete and Gladys, Boomerang).
Maryse Wolinski, 78, French writer and journalist (Sud Ouest, Le Journal du Dimanche).

10 
Jacques Auxiette, 81, French politician, President of the Regional Council of Pays de la Loire (2004–2015).
Romulo T. de la Cruz, 74, Filipino Roman Catholic prelate, Archbishop of Zamboanga (since 2014).
Oded Muhammad Danial, 59, Indonesian politician, Mayor of Bandung (since 2018).
Les Emmerson, 77, Canadian rock singer (Five Man Electrical Band), problems caused by COVID-19.
Mensi, 65, English punk rock singer (Angelic Upstarts), COVID-19.
Constantin Năsturescu, 81, Romanian footballer (Rapid București, Progresul Brăila, national team).
Michael Nesmith, 78, American musician (The Monkees) and songwriter ("Different Drum", "Joanne"), Grammy winner (1982), heart failure.
Ken Osinde, 59, Kenyan politician, Ambassador to Germany (2010–2014).
Jean-Claude Perrot, 93, French historian.

11
Janusz Bargieł, 63, Polish politician, Senator (2001–2005).
Jack Hedley, 92, British actor (For Your Eyes Only, The Longest Day, Colditz).
Mel Lastman, 88, Canadian politician, Mayor of North York (1973–1997) and Toronto (1998–2003).
Juan Carlos Oyarzún, 70, Argentine politician, Senator (1992–1998).
Jalal Pishvaian, 91, Iranian actor.
Anne Rice, 80, American writer (The Vampire Chronicles), problems caused by a stroke.
Francisco Rodríguez Pérez, 82, Mexican politician, member (1973–1976, 1982–1985) and President (1983) of the Chamber of Deputies.
Galina Samsova, 84, Russian ballet dancer.
Manuel Santana, 83, Spanish Hall of Fame tennis player, Wimbledon champion (1966), three-time French Open champion, Olympic champion (1968).

12
Eduardo Cavieres, 76, Chilean historian and academic.
James P. Dugan, 92, American politician, member of the New Jersey Senate (1969–1977).
Margareta Ekström, 91, Swedish writer and translator.
Vicente Fernández, 81, Mexican singer-songwriter ("La Derrota", "Estos Celos", "El Último Beso") and actor, multiple Grammy Award winner, problems caused by a fall.
Bernie Fowler, 97, American politician, member of the Maryland Senate (1983–1994).
Roland Hemond, 92, American baseball executive (Chicago White Sox, Baltimore Orioles, Arizona Diamondbacks).
Maʻafu Tukuiʻaulahi, 65–66, Tongan noble and politician, MP (since 2008).
Sir Paulias Matane, 90, Papua New Guinean politician, Governor-General (2004–2010).
Daniel Nlandu Mayi, 68, Congolese Roman Catholic prelate, Auxiliary Bishop of Kinshasa (1999–2008) and Bishop of Matadi (2010–2021).
Stanisław Nowak, 86, Polish Roman Catholic prelate, Archbishop of Częstochowa (1984–2011).
Toddy O'Sullivan, 87, Irish politician, Lord Mayor of Cork (1980–1981) and TD (1981–1997).
Jimmy Rave, 39, American professional wrestler (NWA Wildside, TNA, ROH).
Silvia Sayago, 66, Argentine politician, Deputy (since 2021), multiple organ failure.
Yury Sharov, 82, Russian fencer, Olympic champion (1964).

13
Falco Accame, 96, Italian politician, Deputy (1976–1983).
Kevin Billington, 87, British movie director (The Rise and Rise of Michael Rimmer, The Light at the Edge of the World, Interlude).
Blackberri, 76, American singer-songwriter and community activist.
Verónica Forqué, 66, Spanish actress (Bajarse al moro, Kika, What Have I Done to Deserve This?), suicide.
Viktor Gnezdilov, 78, Russian politician, Mayor of Nakhodka (1987–2004).
Harbans Kapoor, 75, Indian politician, member (since 1989) and Speaker (2007–2012) of the Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly.
Liam Kavanagh, 86, Irish politician, TD (1969–1997), MEP (1973–1981) and Minister for Labour (1981–1983).
Charles R. Morris, 82, American writer (Los Angeles Times, The Wall Street Journal) and banker, problems caused by dementia.
Leszek Murzyn, 61, Polish politician, Deputy (2005–2007).
Joe Simon, 85, American soul and R&B singer ("The Chokin' Kind", "Get Down, Get Down (Get on the Floor)", "Power of Love").
Sergei Solovyov, 77, Russian movie director (Wild Pigeon, Assa, Black Rose Is an Emblem of Sorrow, Red Rose Is an Emblem of Love), screenwriter and producer.
Józef Tejchma, 94, Polish politician, Deputy Prime Minister (1972–1976).

14
Muamer Abdulrab, 39, Qatari footballer (Al-Sailiya, Al Kharaitiyat, national team). 
Giannalberto Bendazzi, 75, Italian animation historian, writer and academic. 
Božidar Bojović, 83, Montenegrin physician, endocrinologist, and politician, MP (1990–2005).
Phil Chen, 80, Jamaican bassist (Manzarek–Krieger, Butts Band, Rod Stewart), cancer.
Ken Kragen, 85, American music manager and producer ("We Are the World").
Abraham Lunggana, 62, Indonesian businessman and politician, member of the Jakarta Regional People's Representative Council (2009–2018) and the DPR (2019–2021), heart attack.
Tadeusz Ross, 83, Polish politician, MP (2007–2011) and MEP (2013–2014).
Sonny Rhodes, 81, American blues singer and guitarist.
Abd Al-Baqi Abd Karim Al-Sadun, 74, Iraqi military officer and politician.
Rosita Sokou, 98, Greek journalist and playwright, COVID-19.
Sandra Meira Starling, 77, Brazilian politician, Deputy (1991–1999).

15
Nelly Commergnat, 78, French politician, Deputy (1981–1986).
Ernst Fivian, 90, Swiss gymnast, Olympic silver medalist (1952).
Bridget Hanley, 80, American actress (Here Come the Brides, Harper Valley PTA), problems caused by  Alzheimer's disease.
bell hooks, 69, American feminist writer (Ain't I a Woman?, Feminist Theory: From Margin to Center, All About Love: New Visions), kidney failure.
Hub, 62, American bass guitarist (The Roots), multiple myeloma.
Kim Yong-ju, 101, North Korean politician, Head of the Organization and Guidance Department (1959–1974), Vice Premier (1974–1975) and Vice President (1993–1997). (death announced on this date)
Hans Küppers, 82, German footballer (TSV 1860 Munich, 1. FC Nürnberg, national team).
Günter Lach, 67, German politician, member of the Bundestag (2009–2017).
Adam Łomnicki, 86, Polish evolutionary biologist.
Marcel Meys, 112, French supercentenarian, nation's oldest male living person, COVID-19. (death announced on this date)
Fernando Ospina Hernández, 92, Colombian engineer and politician, Deputy (1982–1986).
Rogério Samora, 63, Portuguese actor (Solidão, Uma Linda História de Amor, April Captains, Eccentricities of a Blonde-Haired Girl), problems caused by cardiac arrest.
Varun Singh, 39, Indian Air Force group captain, cardiac arrest caused by an air crash.
Marilee Stepan, 86, American swimmer, Olympic bronze medalist (1952).
Fayez Tarawneh, 72, Jordanian politician, Prime Minister (1998–1999, 2012).

16
Valentino Bellucci, 46, Italian philosopher, sociologist, and writer.
Pavle Dešpalj, 87, Croatian composer and conductor.
George Gekas, 91, American politician and lawyer, member of the United States House of Representatives from Pennsylvania's 17th congressional district (1983–2003).
Lucía Hiriart, 99, Chilean socialite, First Lady (1974–1990), cardiopulmonary arrest caused by heart disease.
Hiroshi Kuwashima, 89, Japanese politician, Mayor of Morioka (1995–2003).
Taniela Moa, 36, Tongan rugby union player (Auckland, Section Paloise, national team).
Duma Nkosi, 64, South African politician, MP (1994–2001) and Mayor of Ekurhuleni (2001–2008).
Trevor Pinch, 69, British sociologist, cancer.
Edith Prague, 96, American politician, member of the Connecticut House of Representatives (1982–1990) and State Senate (1994–2012).
Bob Speller, 65, Canadian politician, MP (1988–2004) and Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food (2003–2004).
Ben Tollefson, 94, American politician, member of the North Dakota House of Representatives (1985–2000) and State Senate (2000–2008).
Terry Uttley, 70, British rock bass guitarist (Smokie).
Wanda Young, 78, American pop singer (The Marvelettes) and dancer. (death announced on this date)

17
Doug Ericksen, 52, American politician, member of the Washington House of Representatives (1999–2011) and State Senate (since 2011), COVID-19.
José Pablo Feinmann, 78, Argentine philosopher, writer (Últimos días de la víctima) and playwright (Eva Perón: The True Story, Ay Juancito), problems caused by a stroke.
José Fernández Arteaga, 88, Mexican Roman Catholic prelate, Bishop of Apatzingán (1974–1980) and Colima (1980–1988) and Archbishop of Chihuahua (1991–2009).
Dah Sagbadjou Glele, Beninese religious leader.
Herb Guenther, 80, American politician, member of the Arizona House of Representatives (1987–1993) and State Senate (1999–2003).
R. L. Jalappa, 96, Indian politician, Minister of Textiles (1996–1998) and MP (1996–2009).
John Morgan, 80, English drummer (The Wurzels), COVID-19.
Árpád Pusztai, 91, Hungarian-born British biochemist and nutritionist (Pusztai affair).
Yurii Reshetnyak, 92, Russian mathematician and academician.
Dimitrios Stefanakos, 85, Greek footballer (Asteras Exarchion, Olympiacos, national team).

18
Harry Azhar Azis, 65, Indonesian economist and politician, MP (2004–2014) and Chairman of the audit board (2014–2017).
Osagi Bascome, 23, Bermudian footballer (Darlington, national team), stabbed.
Manuel Garza González, 88, Mexican politician, member of the Chamber of Deputies (1991–1994, 2000–2003).
Bernd Grimmer, 71, German politician, member of the Landtag of Baden-Württemberg (since 2016), COVID-19.
Sayaka Kanda, 35, Japanese actress (School Wars: Hero, Saraba Kamen Rider Den-O: Final Countdown) and singer, suicide by jumping.
Kangol Kid, 55, American hip-hop songwriter (UTFO), colon cancer.
Hans Mark, 92, German-born American aerospace engineer and politician, U.S. Secretary of the Air Force (1979–1981), problems caused by dementia.
Richard Rogers, Baron Rogers of Riverside, 88, Italian-born British architect (Centre Pompidou, Lloyd's building, Millennium Dome), Pritzker Prize winner (2008).
Eliezer Waldman, 84, Israeli Orthodox rabbi and politician, member of the Knesset (1984–1990).

19
Boško Abramović, 70, Serbian chess grandmaster.
Ron Anderson, 75, American vocal coach (Axl Rose, Chris Cornell, Ozzy Osbourne).
Drakeo the Ruler, 28, American rapper, stabbed.
Antoine Faivre, 87, French literary scholar and occultist.
Nicholas Georgiade, 88, American actor (It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World, Seven Against the Wall, The Untouchables).
Carie Graves, 68, American rower, Olympic champion (1984).
Robert H. Grubbs, 79, American chemist (Grubbs catalyst), Nobel Prize winner (2005), heart attack caused by lymphoma.
Oleg Haslavsky, 73, Russian poet and translator.
Sally Ann Howes, 91, English actress (Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Brigadoon, The Admirable Crichton) and singer.
Johnny Isakson, 76, American politician, member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Georgia's 6th congressional district (1999–2005) and U.S. Senate (2005–2019), problems caused by Parkinson's disease.
Carlos Marín, 53, German-born Spanish singer (Il Divo), COVID-19.
Russ Potts, 82, American politician, member of the Virginia Senate (1992–2008).
Frans Lebu Raya, 61, Indonesian politician, Governor of East Nusa Tenggara (2008–2018).
Adam Rosen, 37, British Olympic luger.
Ed van Thijn, 87, Dutch politician, member of the House of Representatives (1967–1983), Minister of the Interior (1981–1982, 1994) and Mayor of Amsterdam (1983–1994), problems caused by Parkinson's disease.

20
Luboš Andršt, 73, Czech guitarist (Framus Five, Energit, Jazz Q), composer and guitar teacher.
Kimera Bartee, 49, American baseball player (Detroit Tigers) and coach (Pittsburgh Pirates, Philadelphia Phillies).
Norberto Boggio, 90, Argentine footballer (Banfield, Atlante, national team).
Jorge Busti, 74, Argentine politician, Governor of Entre Ríos Province (1987–1991, 1995–1999, 2003–2007), Deputy (1999–2001) and Senator (2001–2003), problems caused by heart surgery.
Jiří Čadek, 86, Czech footballer (Dukla Prague, national team).
Pierre Cassignard, 56, French actor (The Conquest, A French Woman, Seventh Heaven).
Giuseppe Galante, 84, Italian rower, Olympic silver medalist (1960, 1964).
Jean-Paul Laumond, 68, French robotician.
Paul Mitchell, American singer (The Floaters).
Willard H. Murray Jr., 90, American politician, member of the California State Assembly (1988–1996).
Reinier Paping, 90, Dutch speedskater, Elfstedentocht winner (1963).

21
Kurt Edler, 71, German politician, member of the Hamburg Parliament (1985–1986, 1993–1997). (death announced on this date)
Sir Carlyle Glean, 89, Grenadian politician, Governor-General (2008–2013).
Ian Matos, 32, Brazilian Olympic diver (2016), lung infection.
George Sheltz, 75, American Roman Catholic prelate, Auxiliary Bishop of Galveston-Houston (2012–2021).

22
Richard Conway, 79, English visual effects artist (The Adventures of Baron Munchausen, Brazil, Sunshine).
Antonio Falconio, 83, Italian politician, Deputy (1979–1983), President of Abruzzo (1995–2000).
Lester E. Fisher, 100, American zoologist, Director of Lincoln Park Zoo (1962–1992).
Egill Skúli Ingibergsson, 95, Icelandic politician, Mayor of Reykjavík (1978–1982).
George Keiser, 75, American politician, member of the North Dakota House of Representatives (since 1992), problems caused by amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
Bob Keselowski, 70, American stock car racing driver (NASCAR), cancer.
Frédéric Manns, 79, French biblist.
Poh Lip Meng, 52, Singaporean sport shooter.
Barbara Shaw, 79, American politician, member of the New Hampshire House of Representatives (since 2010), problems caused by surgery.
Franklin A. Thomas, 87, American community developer and philanthropist, President and CEO of the Ford Foundation (1979–1996).
P. T. Thomas, 71, Indian politician, MP (2009–2014), stomach cancer.
Gilberto Valbuena Sánchez, 92, Mexican Roman Catholic prelate, Bishop of Colima (1989–2005).
Dmitry Zimin, 88, Russian radio scientist and businessman, founder of VimpelCom.

23
Ted Byfield, 93, Canadian journalist and publisher, founder of Alberta Report and BC Report.
Chris Dickerson, 82, American bodybuilder, Mr. Olympia winner (1982).
Joan Didion, 87, American writer (Run, River, Slouching Towards Bethlehem, The Year of Magical Thinking), problems caused by Parkinson's disease.
Roberto Gerlein Echeverría, 83, Colombian politician, Deputy (1968–1974), Senator (1976–2018) and Minister of Economic Development (1982–1983), problems caused by a urinary tract infection.
Grace Mirabella, 91, American magazine editor, editor-in-chief of Vogue (1971–1988) and founder of Mirabella.
Bartolomeo Pepe, 59, Italian politician, Senator (2013–2018), COVID-19.
Omar Saavedra Santis, 77, Chilean writer.
Stanley M. Truhlsen, 101, American ophtalmologist.
Louie L. Wainwright, 98, American politician, respondent of Gideon v. Wainwright case, Secretary of the Florida Division of Corrections (1962–1987).

24
Jozef Burian, 60, Slovak politician, member of the National Council (2002–2020).
J. D. Crowe, 84, American banjo player and bluegrass bandleader (New South).
Raúl Madero, 82, Argentine footballer (Boca Juniors, Estudiantes, national team).
Birgit Vanderbeke, 65, German writer.
José Villegas, 87, Mexican footballer (Guadalajara, national team).

25
John Gleeson, 82, Australian rugby league player (Wynnum-Manly, Queensland, national team).
Ray Illingworth, 89, English cricketer (Yorkshire, Leicestershire, national team), esophageal cancer.
Brij Lal, 69, Fijian historian.
Albert Likhanov, 86, Soviet-Russian screenwriter (Team 33) and politician, Deputy (1989–1991).
Janice Long, 66, English disc jockey and radio broadcaster (Top of the Pops).
Thomas Lovejoy, 80, American ecologist.
Richard Marcinko, 81, American Navy commander, co-founder of the Navy SEALs.
Candy Palmater, 53, Canadian comedian, broadcaster (Definitely Not the Opera) and actress (Trailer Park Boys).
Jonathan Spence, 85, English-born American historian and sinologist, problems caused by Parkinson's disease.
Wayne Thiebaud, 101, American painter.

26
Gary B. Beikirch, 74, American soldier, Medal of Honor recipient.
Giacomo Capuzzi, 92, Italian Roman Catholic prelate, Bishop of Lodi (1989–2005).
Karolos Papoulias, 92, Greek politician, Deputy (1977–2004), Minister of Foreign Affairs (1985–1989, 1993–1996) and President (2005–2015).
Dorval Rodrigues, 86, Brazilian footballer (Santos, Paranaense, national team).
Paul B. Kidd, 76, Australian radio broadcaster (2UE, 2GB) and writer, cancer and heart disease.
Henri Losch, 90, Luxembourgish actor, screenwriter and linguist.
Fred McLafferty, 98, American chemist (McLafferty rearrangement), member of the National Academy of Sciences (since 1982).
Phua Bah Lee, 89, Singaporean politician, MP (1968–1988).
Desmond Tutu, 90, South African Anglican cleric and civil rights activist, Bishop of Johannesburg (1985–1986) and Archbishop of Cape Town (1986–1996), Nobel Peace Prize winner (1984), prostate cancer.
Jean-Marc Vallée, 58, Canadian movie and television director (Dallas Buyers Club, The Young Victoria, Big Little Lies), screenwriter and editor, Emmy winner (2017), heart attack.
Sarah Weddington, 76, American lawyer (Roe v. Wade) and politician, member of the Texas House of Representatives (1973–1977) and White House Political Director (1979–1981).
E. O. Wilson, 92, American biologist (Sociobiology: The New Synthesis) and writer (On Human Nature, Consilience), Pulitzer Prize winner (1979, 1991).

27
April Ashley, 86, English model, actress (The Road to Hong Kong), and writer, one of the first people to have sex reassignment surgery.
Andreas Behm, 59, German weightlifter, Olympic bronze medalist (1992), heart attack.
Keri Hulme, 74, New Zealand novelist (The Bone People) and poet, Booker Prize winner (1985), problems caused by dementia.
Peter Pike, 84, British politician, MP (1983–2005).
Robert Preston, 92, American politician, member of the New Hampshire Senate (1964–1966, 1972–1990).
Andrew Vachss, 79, American crime fiction writer (Strega, Batman: The Ultimate Evil) and lawyer.
Chaim Walder, 52, Israeli rabbi and author, suicide.
Myrna Williams, 92, American politician, member of the Nevada Assembly (1985–1993) and Clark County commissioner (1995–2007).

28
Grichka Bogdanoff, 72, French television presenter and accused scientific fraudster (Bogdanov affair), COVID-19.
Caliadi, 56, Indonesian politician, Director General for Buddhist Community Guidance (2017–2021), kidney and heart failure.
James Cayne, 87, American businessman, CEO of Bear Stearns, problems caused by a stroke.
Pavel Chrastina, 81, Czech bass singer-songwriter and guitarist (Olympic).
Mikey Chung, 71, Jamaican reggae musician and arranger, myeloma.
Michael R. Clifford, 69, American Army lieutenant colonel and astronaut (STS-76), problems caused by Parkinson's disease.
Jeff Dickerson, 44, American sports journalist (ESPN), colon cancer.
Ted Gardner, Australian music manager, co-founder of Lollapalooza.
Luis Guastavino, 89, Chilean politician, Deputy (1965–1973) and Intendant of the Valparaíso Region (2003–2006).
John Madden, 85, American Hall of Fame football coach (Oakland Raiders) and sportscaster (NFL on CBS, NFL on Fox), Super Bowl champion (1977).
Hugo Maradona, 52, Argentine footballer (Rayo Vallecano, Sagan Tosu, Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo), heart attack.
Annie Chidzira Muluzi, Malawian socialite, First Lady (1994–1999).
Gerold Rechle, 57, German politician, Mayor of Laupheim (2017–2021).
Harry Reid, 82, American politician, Lieutenant Governor of Nevada (1971–1975), member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Nevada's 1st congressional district (1983–1987) and U.S. Senator (1987–2017), pancreatic cancer.
Nikolay Shirshov, 47, Uzbekistani footballer (Pakhtakor Tashkent, Rostov, national team).
Tibi, 70, Portuguese footballer (Leixões, Porto, national team).
Sabine Weiss, 97, Swiss-French photographer.
Stanislav Zavidonov, 87, Russian footballer (Zenit Leningrad) and manager (ASM Oran).

29
Antoine Bonifaci, 90, French footballer (Nice, Torino, national team).
Sue Cline, 75, American politician, member of the West Virginia Senate (2016–2020). (death announced on this date)
Ahmed Daham, 54, Iraqi footballer (Al-Naft, national team) and manager (Naft Maysan), heart attack.
Mohammed Fareeduddin, 64, Indian politician, Telangana MLC (since 2016), cardiac arrest.
Christian Gyan, 43, Ghanaian-Dutch footballer (Feyenoord, Turun Palloseura, national team), pancreatic cancer.
Pupetta Maresca, 86, Italian mobster and convicted murderer.
Alfonso Mejía, 87, Mexican actor (Los Olvidados, Vacations in Acapulco, The Boxer).
William Moncrief, 101, American petroleum businessman and philanthropist.
Nancy Worley, 70, American politician, Secretary of State of Alabama (2003–2007).

30
Lloyd van Dams, 49, Surinamese-Dutch kickboxer, heart disease.
Sam Jones, 88, American Hall of Fame basketball player (Boston Celtics), ten-time NBA champion.
Karel Loprais, 72, Czech rally raid driver, multi-Dakar Rally champion, COVID-19.
Lya Luft, 83, Brazilian writer.
Wolfgang Müller, 90, German Olympic equestrian (1968, 1972).
Denis O’Dell, 98, British film producer (The Magic Christian, The Offence, The Ritz).
Renato Scarpa, 82, Italian actor (Il Postino: The Postman, Don't Look Now, The Icicle Thief), heart attack.

31
Gaber Asfour, 77, Egyptian academic and politician, Minister of Culture (2011, 2014–2015).
Fred Cone, 95, American football player (Green Bay Packers, Dallas Cowboys), problems caused by hip surgery.
Stephen Hartgen, 77, American politician and news editor (Times-News), member of the Idaho House of Representatives (2008–2018).
Hteik Su Phaya Gyi, 98, Burmese royal.
Gábor Kállai, 62, Hungarian chess grandmaster.
Luigi Negri, 80, Italian Roman Catholic prelate, theologian and academic, Bishop of San Marino-Montefeltro (2005–2012) and Archbishop of Ferrara-Comacchio (2012–2017).
Billy Turner, 81, American horse trainer (Seattle Slew), Triple Crown winner (1977), cancer.
Betty White, 99, American actress (The Golden Girls, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Hot in Cleveland), five-time Emmy winner, problems caused by a stroke.

Months
 January
 February
 March
 April
 May
 June
 July
 August
 September
 October
 November

Related pages
 List of deaths due to COVID-19
 2021 in association football deaths
 Deaths in 2014
 Deaths in 2015
 Deaths in 2016
 Deaths in 2017
 Deaths in 2018
 Deaths in 2019
 Deaths in 2020

References

Other websites
The Guardian, UK obituaries
The Telegraph obituaries
Obituaries, Chicago Tribune
Obituaries, Los Angeles Times
The New York Times, US obituaries
The Washington Post obituaries
The Sydney Morning Herald, Australian obituaries

12
December 2021 events