May 1 birthdays and deaths:

Joseph Goebbels

Joseph Goebbels was a politician and a propagandist. He served as the Reich Minister of Propaganda and National Enlightenment, not Chancellor of Germany.

Deathyear: 1945

Ayrton Senna

Ayrton Senna was a Brazilian Formula One driver who dominated the sport in the 1980s and early 1990s. He won three World Drivers' Championships and is widely regarded as one of the greatest drivers in F1 history.

Deathyear: 1994

Gordon Lightfoot

Gordon Lightfoot is a celebrated Canadian singer-songwriter and guitarist, known for his folk-based music and poetic lyrics. With a career spanning over six decades, he has released numerous albums and is credited with penning iconic songs like "If You Could Read My Mind" and "Sundown".

Deathyear: 2023

Miss Elizabeth

Miss Elizabeth, born Elizabeth Hulette, was an American wrestler and manager born in 1960. She was a key figure in the WWF (now WWE) in the 1980s, managing wrestlers Bret Hart and Randy Savage, and was a fan favorite for her charismatic presence and beauty.

Deathyear: 2003

Kris Kross

Chris Kelly, born April 11, 1978, was an American rapper, songwriter, and record producer best known as half of the rap duo Kris Kross. With Chris "Mac Daddy" Smith, he had a string of hits in the 1990s, known for his energetic stage presence and signature gold chains.

Deathyear: 2013

Olympia Dukakis

Olympia Dukakis was a renowned American actress born in 1931. She won an Academy Award for her supporting role in "Moonstruck" (1987) and was also recognized for her work on stage and television.

Deathyear: 2021

Antonín Dvořák

Antonín Dvořák was a renowned Czech composer and academic, born in 1841. He combined folk and classical music styles, creating iconic works like his Symphony No. 9 "From the New World". He was also a professor at the Prague Academy of Music.

Deathyear: 1904

David Livingstone

David Livingstone, a Scottish-English missionary and explorer, was born in 1813. He converted to Christianity at 28 and became a missionary in Africa. He explored the Zambezi River, discovered Victoria Falls, and fought against the slave trade, sacrificing his life for his convictions.

Deathyear: 1873

Magda Goebbels

Magda Goebbels was the wife of Joseph Goebbels, Germany's Propaganda Minister, and first lady of Nazi Germany. Born Magda Quandt in 1901, she married Goebbels in 1931 and was known for her beauty and social charm. She died in 1945, allegedly shooting her children to avoid Soviet captivity.

Deathyear: 1945

Steve Reeves

Steve Reeves was an American bodybuilder and actor, born in 1926. He won the Mr. Universe title seven times and was one of the most successful bodybuilding champions in the 1950s. He went on to become a popular actor, starring in numerous sword-and-sandal films.

Deathyear: 2000

Grace Lee Whitney

Grace Lee Whitney was an American actress, best known for her role as Janice Rand in the original Star Trek series. Born in 1930, Whitney had a long and varied career in television, film, and theater, appearing in over 100 productions before her passing in 2015.

Deathyear: 2015

Eldridge Cleaver

Eldridge Cleaver, a prominent figure in the Civil Rights Movement, was an American author, activist, and politician. He wrote the influential book "Soul on Ice" and was actively involved in the Black Panther Party, advocating for black power, self-defense, and social justice.

Deathyear: 1998

Spike Jones

Spike Jones was an American singer and bandleader born in 1911. He was known for his unique brand of comedy music, featuring bizarre lyrics and surreal arrangements. His quartet, "Spike Jones and His City Slickers," was a huge success in the 1940s and 1950s.

Deathyear: 1965

Aram Khachaturian

Aram Khachaturian was a renowned Armenian composer and conductor, born in 1903. He is best known for his iconic ballets "Spartacus" and "Gayaneh", as well as his "Cello Concerto" and "Piano Sonata".

Deathyear: 1978

Princess Margaret of Connaught

Princess Margaret of Connaught (1882-1920) was the wife of Gustaf Adolf, Crown Prince of Sweden. Born in London, daughter of Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught, she married into the Swedish royal family and was a cherished member of the royal family until her premature death at 26.

Deathyear: 1920

Henry Cooper

Henry Cooper, a legendary English boxer, was born in 1934. He had a successful amateur career, winning 250 fights without a loss, and turned pro in 1958. He was known for his powerful left hook and held the British and European heavyweight titles during his reign.

Deathyear: 2011

Matilda of Scotland

Matilda of Scotland, born around 1080, was the only surviving child of King Malcolm III of Scotland and Saint Margaret of England. She married King Henry I of England and had three daughters, ultimately becoming the mother of the future King Stephen of England.

Deathyear: 1118

Arcadius

Arcadius, Byzantine emperor, ruled from 395 to 408 CE. Born in 377, he was the son of Theodosius I and expanded Constantinople's walls. Despite his reputation for incompetence, he oversaw significant administrative and economic reforms, including the creation of the Asclepieum of Abydos hospital.

Deathyear: 408

Pope Pius V

Pope Pius V, born Antonio Ghisi, was a French-Italian Catholic priest who served as Pope from 1566 to 1572. He was known for his strong stance against Protestantism and his role in the Council of Trent, which aimed to reform the Catholic Church.

Deathyear: 1572

María Elena Velasco

María Elena Velasco is a renowned Mexican actress, singer, director, and screenwriter, born in 1940. She is best known for her iconic portrayal of the Virgin of Guadalupe in her famous film, " María de Guadalupe".

Deathyear: 2015

Isabella of Portugal

Isabella of Portugal (1503-1539) was a Portuguese princess and Duchess of Braganza. She married Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor, and was a patron of the arts and architecture. Her marriage was marked by numerous scandals and mistreatment, ultimately leading to her early death at 36 years old.

Deathyear: 1539

Ranasinghe Premadasa

Ranasinghe Premadasa was the 3rd President of Sri Lanka, serving from 1989 to 1993. A prominent politician, he was the Prime Minister from 1977 to 1978 and again from 1989 to 1991. He played a key role in Sri Lankan politics from the 1970s until his assassination in 1993.

Deathyear: 1993

Yi Un

Yi Un was a Korean prince born in 1897 as the ninth son of King Gojong, the founder of the Korean Empire. He received a Western-style education and spoke fluent English and Japanese. Yi Un underwent two failed assassination attempts during his lifetime.

Deathyear: 1970

Harold Nicolson

Harold Nicolson was a renowned English author and politician, known for his literary works, diplomatic efforts, and wit. Born in 1886, he served as a Conservative MP and wrote acclaimed novels, including "Somebody for Helen" and "Portrait of a Politician".

Deathyear: 1968

Hylda Baker

Hylda Baker was a renowned English comedian, actress, and music hall performer, born in 1905. Known for her vivacious stage presence and impressive mimicry skills, she delighted audiences with her impressions of celebrities and political figures throughout the 20th century.

Deathyear: 1986

Albert I of Germany

Albert I of Germany, also known as Albert the Good, was the King of the Romans from 1298 to 1308. He was born in 1255 and was a member of the House of Habsburg. He was a strong advocate for the Church and played a significant role in the Second Council of Lyon.

Deathyear: 1308

T. R. M. Howard

T.R.M. Howard was a renowned American surgeon and civil rights activist. Born in 1908, Howard was a leader in the March on Washington and a close friend of Medgar Evers. He advocated for social justice and equality, becoming a prominent figure in the American landscape.

Deathyear: 1976

Ben Lexcen

Ben Lexcen was a renowned Australian sailor and architect, born in 1936. He is famous for designing the iconic Australia II yacht, which won the 1983 America's Cup. As an architect, he left a lasting impression on Australian design.

Deathyear: 1988

Jean-Baptiste Bessières

Jean-Baptiste Bessières was a prominent French general during the Napoleonic Wars. Born in 1768, he fought in several battles, including Austerlitz and Wagram, and rose to the rank of Marshal of France. He was known for his bravery and military prowess.

Deathyear: 1813

Kenneth and Mamie Clark

Kenneth Clark was an American psychologist and academic born in 1914. He is best known for his groundbreaking work on developmental psychology, particularly in the areas of cognitive and social development. He was also a prolific researcher, publishing numerous papers and books throughout his career.

Deathyear: 2005

Pope Marcellus II

Pope Marcellus II was born Alessandro de' Medici in 1501. He reigned for only 22 days in May 1555, before succumbing to a long illness. He was known for his piety and simplicity, and was beatified in 1888.

Deathyear: 1555

Lope K. Santos

Lope K. Santos was a prominent Filipino lawyer and politician born in 1879. He served as the Speaker of the Philippine Assembly from 1907-1909 and was a key figure in the country's struggle for independence.

Deathyear: 1963

Sergio Franchi

Sergio Franchi was an acclaimed Italian-American tenor and actor, born in 1926. Known for his powerful voice and charming stage presence, he appeared in numerous operas, concerts, and musicals, captivating audiences worldwide.

Deathyear: 1990