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Notable Achievements at Age 97
Died at home in Los Angeles
Died on August 11, 2020, at age 97; cause of death officially not disclosed in the cited sources.
Death in Cambridge, Massachusetts
Died at home in Cambridge, Massachusetts. (Reported dates vary by source; July 26, 2025 is the commonly reported date.)
That's TV schedules The Benny Hill Show at Christmas
In November 2021 That's TV announced The Benny Hill Show would be featured in its Christmas schedule, marking a nationwide TV return after nearly 20 years.
Architect resigned over Munger Hall design controversy
UCSB campus architect Dennis McFadden resigned in protest in October 2021 citing concerns about Munger's windowless dorm design; the design became a major public controversy.
Awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom
President Barack Obama presented Katherine Johnson with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the United States' highest civilian honor.
Honorary Doctor of Science, Vancouver Island University
Received an honorary doctorate recognizing her contributions to pharmacology and public health.
Drucker Foundation renamed Frances Hesselbein Leadership Institute
After Peter Drucker's death (2005), the Peter F. Drucker Foundation was renamed in Hesselbein's honor (renamed in 2012).
Surpassed Dame Alice Chisholm as longest-lived dame (Jan 2007)
At 97 years and 11 months she became the longest-lived dame in Australia at the time.
Underwent surgical repair of aorta (DeBakey procedure) at Houston Methodist
At age 97 (Feb 9–10, 2006) became the oldest person to undergo the aortic surgery he had pioneered; operation lasted seven hours and was performed by George P. Noon and team.
Suffered aortic dissection (diagnosed late 2005)
Experienced an aortic dissection; condition DeBakey had pioneered surgery to treat decades earlier.
Awarded National Medal of Arts
Awarded the National Medal of Arts by President Ronald Reagan in 1985.
Death at Ormond Beach, Florida
John D. Rockefeller dies on May 23, 1937 at The Casements in Ormond Beach, Florida; estate at death reported as about $26,410,837 because most wealth had been given away to foundations and heirs.
Ranked 26th most cited psychologist of 20th century (survey)
A Review of General Psychology (2002) survey ranked Harlow as the 26th most cited psychologist of the 20th century (posthumous recognition of influence).
Oldest Emmy recipient (LIVE In Front of a Studio Audience)
At age 97 he became the oldest recipient of an Emmy Award in 2019 for an installment of LIVE In Front of a Studio Audience.
I Love Lucy ranked second-best US TV program by TV Guide
TV Guide names I Love Lucy the second-best television program in American history (2008).
Drucker Archives became the Drucker Institute (posthumous)
The Drucker Archives at Claremont were reorganized/expanded into the Drucker Institute (institutional legacy).
Total lifetime philanthropy estimated (~$540M)
Estimates from Rockefeller Archive and other sources place Rockefeller's lifetime charitable giving at roughly $540 million (cumulative over his life and foundations' early years).
Tom Ford licensing and development agreement
Estée Lauder Companies signed fashion designer Tom Ford to develop and distribute Tom Ford Beauty fragrances and cosmetics (2005 deal).
💡 What this means for you
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