Famous people and celebrities who died in August 1996

This page is dedicated to commemorating the celebrities and famous people who passed away in August 1996. 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

• Aug. 1 Frida Boccara

  French singer of Italian descent known for her successful music career in the mid-20th century.

• Aug. 1 Lucille Teasdale-Corti

  Renowned Canadian doctor and humanitarian who dedicated her life to international medical aid, working extensively in Uganda and making significant contributions to global healthcare.

• Aug. 1 Tadeusz Reichstein

  Polish-swiss chemist and academic, nobel prize laureate (b. 1897)

• Aug. 2 Michel Debré

  Prominent French politician and statesman who played a crucial role in post-World War II France. He served as the first Prime Minister under President Charles de Gaulle and was instrumental in drafting the Constitution of the Fifth Republic.

• Aug. 2 Mohamed Farrah Aidid

  Somalian general and politician, 5th president of somalia (b. 1934)

• Aug. 8 Sir Nevill Francis Mott

  Nobel Prize laureate for their fundamental theoretical investigations of the electronic structure of magnetic and disordered systems

• Aug. 9 Frank Whittle

  Sir Frank Whittle was a pioneering British aerospace engineer and pilot who invented the turbojet engine, revolutionizing aviation technology during World War II. His groundbreaking work fundamentally transformed military and civilian aircraft design in the 20th century.

• Aug. 10 Rex Tucker

  Television director/writer dies at 83

• Aug. 11 Baba Vanga

  Renowned Bulgarian mystic and prophet known for her alleged prophetic abilities and spiritual predictions. She was blind from a young age and claimed to have supernatural insights into future events.

• Aug. 11 Rafael Kubelík

  Renowned Czech-born conductor and composer who significantly influenced classical music in the 20th century, known for his interpretations of Dvořák and Janáček.

• Aug. 11 Ambrosio Padilla

  Filipino basketball player and politician who served in significant roles during mid-20th century Philippines, known for contributions in sports and public service.

• Aug. 12 Victor Ambartsumian

  Prominent Soviet Armenian astrophysicist who made significant contributions to theoretical astrophysics, stellar astronomy, and the study of stellar evolution. He founded the Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory and was a highly respected academic in the scientific community.

• Aug. 12 Mark Gruenwald

  American comic book editor and writer (born 1953).

• Aug. 13 António de Spínola

  Portuguese general and politician who served as the 14th President of Portugal, playing a significant role in the country's transition from dictatorship to democracy.

• Aug. 14 Sergiu Celibidache

  Renowned Romanian conductor and composer who significantly influenced classical music interpretation in the 20th century.

• Aug. 20 George Brian Snape

  At 81, a businessman and entrepreneur in rugby league dies

• Aug. 21 Mary Two-Axe Earley

  Pioneering Indigenous rights activist who fought against discriminatory Canadian laws that stripped Indigenous women of their status when marrying non-Indigenous men. Her landmark legal challenges were crucial in advancing Indigenous women's rights in Canada.

• Aug. 21 Rosa Joyce Plesters Brommelie

  Conservation scientist dies at 69

• Aug. 23 Margaret Tucker

  Prominent Australian Indigenous rights activist and author who fought for Aboriginal social justice and wrote extensively about Indigenous experiences.

• Aug. 25 Les Burns

  Local councillor dies at 53

• Aug. 26 Alejandro Lanusse

  At 77, a politician/army officer dies

• Aug. 26 Baron Baker

  Activist dies at 71

• Aug. 27 Greg Morris

  African American actor best known for his groundbreaking role in 'Mission: Impossible', where he was one of the first Black actors in a prominent television series role. He overcame significant socio-economic challenges to become a successful television actor.

• Aug. 27 Abram Games

  Renowned British graphic designer who created iconic wartime posters and pioneered modern graphic design techniques during the mid-20th century.

• Aug. 28 Lynda Carr

  Educationist dies at 50

• Aug. 30 Louise Brown

  Louise Brown is the world's first baby conceived through in vitro fertilization (IVF), a groundbreaking medical achievement that revolutionized reproductive medicine. Her birth in 1978 marked a pivotal moment in human fertility treatment, offering hope to millions of couples struggling with infertility.

• Aug. 30 Christine Pascal

  French stage director and actress who tragically ended her life by jumping from a window, a fate she had long predicted but was not believed.

• Aug. 31 David Scott (astronaut)

  Prominent NASA astronaut who commanded the Apollo 15 mission and was the seventh person to walk on the moon, making significant contributions to space exploration.