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Notable Achievements at Age 78
Died of pancreatic cancer at St. Wolfgang im Salzkammergut
Mateschitz died following a long period of treatment for pancreatic cancer on 22 October 2022; he was 78.
SNL remains ongoing (executive producer through 2022+)
Michaels continued as creator/executive producer of SNL (created 1975; producer 1975–1980, 1985–present), overseeing five decades of the show and its talent pipeline.
Died in Paphos, Cyprus (severe asthma attack)
Died suddenly while on holiday in Paphos; early reports of heart attack; autopsy confirmed death by severe asthma attack.
Died of pneumonia in Tokyo
Akio Morita died on October 3, 1999 at a Tokyo hospital; he was 78 years old.
Death in New York City
Eleanor Roosevelt dies on November 7, 1962; cause cited as aplastic anemia, disseminated tuberculosis and heart failure in some accounts.
Assassination by Nathuram Godse at Birla House, Delhi
Gandhi was assassinated at an interfaith prayer meeting by Nathuram Godse (shot three times) and died that day; funeral procession followed with massive public mourning.
Indian independence and partition
Britain granted independence (15 Aug 1947); British India partitioned into India and Pakistan—an outcome Gandhi opposed though he accepted it reluctantly.
Controversial suggestion for 70-hour workweek
In early January 2025 Murthy faced backlash after suggesting youngsters should work up to 70 hours per week to increase India's productivity; widely reported and debated.
Suspended 2020 presidential campaign
Ended his presidential campaign on March 4, 2020 after winning only 61 delegates; endorsed Joe Biden.
Received Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award
Tomlin was honored with the SAG Life Achievement Award in 2017 for career achievement and humanitarian accomplishment.
Asteroid 6618 Jimsimons named in his honor
The International Astronomical Union named asteroid 6618 Jimsimons after him in recognition of his contributions to mathematics and philanthropy.
Established the Flatiron Institute
The Simons Foundation launched the Flatiron Institute in New York City to support computational science across disciplines.
Inducted into Kentucky Writers Hall of Fame
Posthumously inducted into the Kentucky Writers Hall of Fame in 2015.
Serious brain injury in Hanoi (motor scooter accident)
Struck by a motor scooter at the 17th ICMI Study conference in Hanoi; suffered a large brain injury and underwent emergency surgery in Hanoi before air transfer to Boston.
Permitted to visit Vietnam after 39 years in exile
Arrived in Vietnam (12 Jan 2005), allowed to visit, teach, and return to his root temple Từ Hiếu after long negotiations with the government.
Posthumous Presidential Medal of Freedom
Awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously by President George H. W. Bush on July 6, 1989.
Buried at Springwood Estate, Hyde Park
Interred beside her husband at the Rose Garden of the Roosevelt family estate (Springwood) in Hyde Park, NY.
Awarded Nobel Prize in Literature
Received the Nobel Prize for his many published works, particularly his historical and war writings.
Died at the Hermitage
Andrew Jackson died on June 8, 1845 at his Hermitage plantation near Nashville at age 78.
Received Malcolm S. Forbes Lifetime Achievement Award
Forbes Magazine & the Forbes family presented Li Ka-shing with the first Malcolm S. Forbes Lifetime Achievement Award in Singapore on 5 Sep 2006.
💡 What this means for you
At age 78, you're at a pivotal point where many successful entrepreneurs made their breakthrough. Whether you're building your first company or scaling an existing one, these examples show what's possible with focus and execution.
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