Famous People Who Died At 18

Tutankhamun was an Egyptian pharaoh who ruled between 1334 and 1325 BC. He is one of the most studied ancient Egyptian pharaohs, thanks to his well-preserved tomb. Although he was not a popular ruler, the global exhibitions of artifacts associated with him have made Tutankhamun the most renowned pharaoh in the modern world.

Ryan White became an icon for HIV/AIDS patients in the 1980s, when he was not allowed to return to school after an AIDS diagnosis. He was apparently infected with the virus during a blood treatment for haemophilia. His case led to the passage of the Ryan White CARE Act.

Rob Knox is best remembered as Marcus Belby from the film Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and had signed to reprise the role in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. However, at 18, he was stabbed outside a Southeast London bar by a man named Karl Bishop and died.

Tongzhi Emperor was the Emperor of the Qing dynasty who reigned from 1861 to 1875. The predecessor of Xianfeng Emperor, Tongzhi was the eighth Qing emperor to reign over the Eighteen Provinces. Tongzhi was a puppet emperor whose reign was overshadowed by the influence of his mother Empress Dowager Cixi over state affairs.

Tasmanian war veteran Teddy Sheean was initially a farm laborer and then joined the Australian navy. Seventy-eight years after he died after strapping himself to a sinking HMAS Armidale’s anti-aircraft gun and shooting at the attacking Japanese war planes, he was awarded with the Victoria Cross.

Though born to working-class parents, Julissa Gomez was encouraged by them to train for gymnastics at an early age. An Olympic hopeful, Gomez suffered a devastating head injury at an event in Japan, rendering her paralyzed and in a coma for days. She eventually died, prompting safety reforms in gymnastics.

Catherine of Alexandria is a Christian saint who was martyred at the hands of the Roman Emperor Maxentius in the early 4th century. Catherine is generally credited with converting hundreds of people to Christianity. Over 1,100 years after her martyrdom, French warrior Joan of Arc claimed that Catherine was one of the saints to counsel her in her visions.

Johanna Bassani was an Austrian combined ski jumper and Nordic skier. After starting her career at the age of 12, Bassani went on to establish herself as an important skier and made it to the national team in 2020 when she was selected to take part in the Nordic Junior World Ski Championships. However, she committed suicide at age 18.

Soviet Greco-Roman wrestler Mark Slavin had chosen wrestling as a means to defend himself against anti-Semitic attacks. He moved to Israel 4 months before the Munich Olympics and represented Israel in the event. At 18, he was the youngest victim of the Munich massacre and died during a failed rescue attempt.

The 3rd pharaoh of the 5th dynasty, Neferirkare Kakai was the first Egyptian ruler to have used 2 names, a prenomen and a nomen. Though he began constructing a pyramid for himself, it remained incomplete. The papyrus later found in his pyramid complex contained the earliest documents in hieratic script.

Elizabeth of Austria was the Queen consort of Poland and Grand Duchess of Lithuania through her marriage to the King of Poland, Sigismund II Augustus. Plagued by ill health and Sigismund Augustus' extramarital affairs, Elizabeth's marriage was unhappy and brief. Elizabeth suffered from epileptic seizures throughout her life and died at the age of 18.

The eldest son of King James VI of England (and I of Scotland), Henry Frederick, Prince of Wales, often had arguments with his father regarding administrative issues. Known as an "obdurate Protestant," Henry was a handsome man and an art lover. Unfortunately, he died of typhoid before succeeding his father.

Although Russian chess player, Elena Tairova, lived for only eighteen years she is still remembered for her enormous talent and outstanding records. Debuting in professional chess at the age of eight, she won a gold medal at 2021 European Youth Chess Championships in the Girls U10 category, eventually becoming a Woman Grandmaster at 14 and an International Master at 15.

American Instagram and TikTok star Zyiair Sherre, better known online, as Zaywoah, shot to fame with his comedy and dance videos.  He was also a talented boxer and a budding musician, and was known for his relationship with fellow internet celebrity yofav.naee. He was shot dead in Michigan at age 18.

Though wheelchair-bound and suffering from a type of muscular dystrophy, Hridayeshwar Singh Bhati became the youngest Indian to hold a patent when he co-discovered a six-player chess variant with his father. He was highly inspired by British physicist Stephen Hawking. Unfortunately, he died of a cardiac arrest at age 18.

Dejazmatch Alemayehu Tewodros was the son and heir of Emperor Tewodros II of Ethiopia who committed-suicide following his defeat by the British. According to the Emperor’s wishes, Alemayehu came under British care. He lost his mother on their way to England. Queen Victoria subsidised his education, however the orphan prince eventually grew lonely, contracted pleurisy and died at just 18. 

Lambert of Italy reigned as the King of Italy from 891 to 898. He assumed the duties of his father after the latter's sudden demise in 894. For the most part of his reign, Lambert of Italy was preoccupied in foiling the efforts of Berengar of Friuli and Arnulf of Carinthia, who were trying to take Italy for themselves.

Örlygur Aron Sturluson was an Icelandic professional basketball player who played as a point guard. At the time of his demise in 2000, Örlygur was regarded as one of the most promising players in Icelandic basketball. Örlygur Aron Sturluson's life and career inspired a documentary film titled Ölli, which released in 2013.