Year ender 2024: Prominent world leaders who died in 2024
What's the story
The year 2024 brought an end to an era for many powerful world leaders.
The key personalities, who shaped the course of history in their countries, included former Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny.
Their deaths ranged from tragic accidents to mysterious disappearances and prolonged illnesses.
Here's a look at the list of prominent leaders who died in 2024.
Raisi's reign
Ebrahim Raisi: A leader in Iran's tumultuous times
Ebrahim Raisi, who was Iran's president since August 2021, was one of the most consequential world leaders to pass away in 2024.
His presidency was marred by challenges, including public unrest after Mahsa Amini's death.
Unfortunately, Raisi died in a helicopter crash in May 2024, leaving a grieving nation and a leadership vacuum at a crucial time for Iran.
Navalny's demise
Alexei Navalny: A voice of opposition silenced
Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny died under mysterious circumstances in February 2024. A vocal critic of Vladimir Putin, Navalny had been missing from a Russian prison since December 2023.
His death was officially announced on February 16, 2024, but the exact cause remains unclear with suspicions of poisoning.
Prescott's legacy
John Prescott: Architect of Labour Party's revival
John Prescott, the Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1997 to 2007, died on November 20, 2024.
A former trade union activist and ex-merchant seaman, Prescott was key to breathing life into the Labour Party.
His work played a major role in Tony Blair's landslide victory in 1997 after a long spell in opposition.
Latin losses
Sebastian Pinera and Alberto Fujimori: Leaders of Latin America
Chile's two-time president Sebastian Pinera died in a helicopter crash while vacationing in southern Chile on February 6, 2024.
The billionaire businessman had served his country from 2010-2014 and again from 2018-2022.
In September, Peru mourned the loss of its former president Alberto Fujimori who succumbed after a prolonged battle with cancer at the age of 86.
Aziz's departure
Sartaj Aziz: Pakistan's influential economist and politician
The year started on a sad note with the demise of Sartaj Aziz, a powerful Pakistani economist and politician, who died on January 2, 2024.
Aziz served in several key positions in successive Pakistani governments, including Foreign Minister and National Security Advisor.
He was also known for admitting that Pakistan hosted some Afghan Taliban leaders—a claim that Islamabad had long denied.