Famous people and celebrities who died in May 1981

This page is dedicated to commemorating the celebrities and famous people who passed away in May 1981. This month marked the loss of influential and beloved figures whose contributions spanned various fields and touched many lives. Explore our detailed list to remember and celebrate their enduring legacies and the remarkable impact they had on the world

May 1 Peter Huchel
Writer dies at 78
May 1 Clarence A Bacote
At 75, historian / political scientist dies
May 3 Nargis
Legendary Indian film actress known for her iconic roles in Bollywood cinema, particularly in the classic film 'Mother India'.
May 4 C. Loganathan
Sri lankan banker (b. 1913)
May 5 Bobby Sands
Irish republican activist and political prisoner who became a symbol of the Irish republican movement during the Troubles, dying after a 66-day hunger strike in 1981.
May 7 Mieczyslaw Kolinski
Composer dies at 79
May 8 Uri Zvi Greenberg
Israeli poet and writer, known for his nationalist and Zionist themes.
May 9 Nelson Algren
Nelson Algren was a prominent American novelist known for his gritty, realistic portrayals of marginalized urban life in mid-20th century America. His most famous work, 'The Man with the Golden Arm', won the National Book Award in 1950 and explored themes of addiction and social struggle. He was a significant voice in American realist literature.
May 11 Bob Marley
Legendary Jamaican reggae musician who revolutionized global music through his iconic band The Wailers and solo career. He was a pivotal figure in spreading reggae music worldwide and using music as a platform for social and political messages. His album 'Exodus' is considered one of the most important albums of the 20th century.
May 11 Odd Hassel
CHE - Norwegian chemist and academic, nobel prize laureate (b. 1897)
May 12 Benjamin H Sheares
President of singapore, dies.
May 13 Carl Weinrich
Composer dies at 76
May 17 Hugo Freidhofer
Composer dies at age 80
May 17 Jeannette Ridlon Piccard
First us woman free balloon pilot, dies.
May 18 William Saroyan
William Saroyan was a prominent Armenian-American writer known for his poignant short stories and plays that captured the immigrant experience. He won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1940 for 'The Time of Your Life', which he famously declined. His works like 'The Human Comedy' remain significant contributions to 20th-century American literature.
May 21 Patsy O'Hara
Irish Republican Army volunteer who died during the 1981 Irish hunger strikes, a pivotal moment in Northern Ireland's conflict.
May 23 George Jessel
American actor, singer, and producer (b. 1898)
May 23 Gene Green
American baseball player (b. 1933)
May 24 Herbert Müller
Swiss professional race car driver who competed in Formula One and tragically died during a racing event in 1981.
May 25 Ruby Payne-Scott
Ruby Payne-Scott was a pioneering Australian radio astronomer who made significant contributions to the field during World War II. She was one of the first female radioastronomers in the world.
May 25 Fredric Warburg
British author and publisher (born 1898).
May 25 Rosa Ponselle
At the age of 84, a us singer (metropolitan opera) dies.
May 28 Stefan Wyszyński
Stefan Wyszyński was a prominent Polish cardinal who played a crucial role in the Catholic Church during the communist era in Poland, advocating for religious freedom and national identity.
May 28 Mary Lou Williams
Renowned African American jazz pianist, composer, and arranger who significantly influenced jazz music across multiple eras from swing to bebop.
May 30 Ziaur Rahman
Prominent Bangladeshi military officer and political leader who served as the seventh president of Bangladesh, assassinated in 1981.