One would have to go back hundreds of years to find a monarch who reigned longer than Queen Elizabeth II.
In her 70 years on the throne, she helped modernize the monarchy across decades of enormous social change, royal marriages and births and family scandals. For most Britons, she was the only monarch they had ever known.
Her death in September was arguably the most high-profile death of 2022, prompting a collective outpouring of grief and respect for her steady leadership as well as some criticism of the monarchy’s role in colonialism. She likely met more people than anyone in history, and her image — on stamps, coins and bank notes — was among the most reproduced in the world.
Other world leaders who died in 2022 include former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, who died in August. His efforts to revitalize the Soviet Union led to the collapse of communism there and the end of the Cold War. He eventually resigned after an attempted coup, just as republics declared independence from the Soviet Union.
The year also saw the assassination of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who was fatally shot during a campaign speech in July.
The final days of 2022 saw the loss of some exceptionally notable figures, including Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. Brazil lost a national hero, soccer legend Pelé, and journalism lost Barbara Walters, who helped pave the way for women to reach the highest levels of the profession.
Other political figures who…
