Associated Press has released a list of influential people who died in 2026. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Associated Press.

Known for his Southern drawl, political flexibility and hawkish foreign policy, Lindsey Graham was an influential Republican in the U.S. Senate with an ability to befriend colleagues of different political persuasions. Graham ran for president in 2016 as an opponent to Donald Trump but went on to become one of the new president’s staunchest allies. He died from a tear in his aorta.

July also saw the death of aviation pioneer Wally Funk, who, at age 82, became the oldest woman to go into space when she joined Amazon founder Jeff Bezos on his Blue Origin rocket in 2021. In the 1960s, she and other female pilots went through astronaut training in the Mercury 13 program, but they were not allowed to become astronauts.

Other noteworthy people who died in July include former Qatari ruler Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, singer Bonnie Tyler, former CIA director R. James Woolsey, West Indian cricketer Garry Sobers and actor Sam Neill.

Here is a roll call of some influential figures who have died this year (the cause of death is cited, if available):

  • 01**Diane Crump**, 77. In 1969, she became the first woman to ride professionally in a horse race and a year later became the first female jockey in the Kentucky Derby. Jan. 1.
  • 01**Ahn Sung-ki**, 74. He was one of South Korean cinema’s biggest stars whose prolific 60-year career and positive, gentle public image earned him the nickname “The Nation’s Actor.” Jan. 5.
  • 01**Aldrich Ames**, 84. The CIA turncoat who betrayed Western intelligence assets to the Soviet Union and Russia in one of the most damaging intelligence breaches in U.S. history died in prison. Jan. 5.
  • 01**Béla Tarr**, 70. The celebrated Hungarian filmmaker directed such works as “Sátántangó” and “The Turin Horse” and was the recipient of numerous awards for his long and often darkly comic films. Jan. 6.
  • 01**Glenn Hall**, 94. Nicknamed “Mr. Goalie,” he was a Hockey Hall of Famer whose ironman streak of 502 starts as a goalkeeper remains an NHL record. Jan. 7.
  • 01**Bob Weir**, 78. The guitarist and singer was an essential member of the Grateful Dead. (List continues.)