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Robin Williams (1951 - 2014) -

Shortly after Robin Williams killed himself in 2014, his widow revealed that her husband had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in the period before his death.

In her statement, she described how she felt that the diagnosis had been a factor in his death. An autopsy revealed, however, that Williams had been suffering from another neurodegenerative disease: Lewy body dementia.

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Muhammad Ali (1942-2016) -

The beloved boxer was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 1984, three years after retiring. He elevated PD awareness around the world and helped establish the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center.

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Tony Bennett (1926-1923) -

Bennett was diagnosed in 2016, but due to the slow progression of his illness, the iconic jazz singer continued to record, tour, and perform until he retired from concerts due to physical challenges. His final two performances were held in 2021, at Radio City Music Hall with Lady Gaga. Bennett died at his home in New York City on July 21, 2023. 

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Ronald Reagan (1911-2004) -

In August 1994, the 40th President of the United States was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, which he announced through a handwritten letter in November. By the end of 2003, Reagan had lost his ability to speak and was mostly confined to his bed, no longer able to recognize any family members. He died of pneumonia, complicated by Alzheimer's on June 5, 2004.

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Maurice White (1941-2016) -

One of the founding members of Earth, Wind & Fire, Maurice White noted the first symptoms of Parkinson's disease in the '80s. He was officially diagnosed in 1992 at age 50.

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Imogene Coca (1908-2001) -

The comic actress was best known for her role opposite Sid Caesar on 'Your Show of Shows.' Aged 92, she died from natural causes incidental to Alzheimer's disease. 

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Sidney Poitier (1927-2022) -

In 1964, Poitier was the first Black actor and first Bahamian to win the Academy Award for Best Actor. He was one of the last surviving stars from the Golden Age of Hollywood cinema. His cause of death was cardiopulmonary failure, with Alzheimer's disease and prostate cancer listed as underlying causes.

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Aaron Copland (1900-1990) -

The American conductor and composer was referred to by his peers and critics as "the Dean of American Composers." His health deteriorated through the '80s, and he died of Alzheimer's disease and respiratory failure on December 2, 1990. 

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Kirk Alyn (1910-1999) -

The American actor is best known for being the first actor to play Superman in the 1948 movie serial 'Superman' and its 1950 sequel 'Atom Man vs. Superman.' He also played Lois Lane's father Sam Lane in 1978's 'Superman: The Movie.' Alyn died at the age of 88 with Alzheimer's disease.

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Dorian Leigh (1917-2008) -

Dorian Leigh was an American model and is considered one of the first supermodels. She died in a Falls Church, Virginia, nursing home from Alzheimer's disease at the age of 91 in 2008. 

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Charles Bronson (1921-2003) -

Known for playing leads in various action, western, and war films, Bronson's health deteriorated in his later years. Although pneumonia and Alzheimer's disease have been cited as his cause of death, neither appears on his death certificate. Instead, respiratory failure, metastatic lung cancer with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and congestive cardiomyopathy are cited as the causes of death.

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Rosa Parks (1913-2005) -

The civil rights activist was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2004. She died the following year in her apartment in Detroit.

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Janet Reno (1938-2016) -

The first woman to serve as US attorney general, from 1993 to 2001, Janet Reno was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease in 1995. She was only 55 years old at the time.

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Richard Lewis (1947-2024) -

The late stand-up comedian and actor Richard Lewis was diagnosed with PD in 2021. He publicly stated that his Parkinson’s was progressing slowly. He passed away from a heart attack in 2024. 

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James Stewart (1908-1997) -

Known for his distinctive drawl and everyman screen persona, Stewart died of a heart attack caused by an embolism at the age of 89. Alzheimer's disease was one of the underlying causes of his death.

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Otto Preminger (1905-1986) -

Preminger directed more than 35 feature films in a five-decade career after leaving the theater. He also acted in a number of movies. He died from lung cancer while suffering from Alzheimer's disease. 

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Sugar Ray Robinson (1921-1989) -

Often regarded as the greatest boxer of all time, Sugar Ray Robinson was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1990. He was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and diabetes in his later years, and sadly died at the age of 67. 

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Bob Hoskins (1942-2014) -

Actor Bob Hoskins was best known for his roles in 'The Long Good Friday' (1980), 'Who Framed Roger Rabbit' (1988), and 'Super Mario Bros.' (1993). He was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 2011, and soon after retired from acting.

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Stephen Hawking (1942 - 2018) -

One of the most famous ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) sufferers was British physicist Stephen Hawking. Diagnosed with the disease at age 21, he lived to be 76 years old.

But Hawking's case was also an exception to another rule, since it's not common for the disease to appear at such an early age. It usually manifests in men after the age of 40 and in women after 70.

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Glen Campbell (1936-2017) -

With a career that spanned five decades, the country singer sold over 45 million records worldwide. He died of Alzheimer's six years after announcing his diagnosis. 

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Bill Mauldin (1921-2003) -

Famous for his World War II cartoons depicting American soldiers, the Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist died of Alzheimer's disease at the age of 81. 

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Irene Papas -

The Greek actress and singer starred in over 70 films in a career spanning more than 50 years. Some of her most famous movies included 'The Guns of Navarone' (1961), 'Zorba the Greek' (1964), and 'The Trojan Women' (1971). In 2013, Papas began to suffer from Alzheimer's disease. She died on September 14, 2022, at the age of 93.

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Charlton Heston (1923-2008) -

The Oscar-winning actor was a supporter of Ronald Reagan, and a five-term president of the National Rifle Association of America (NRA). After announcing he had Alzheimer's disease in 2002, Heston retired from both acting and the NRA presidency. He died at the age of 84.

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Bob Barker (1923-2023) -

Barker hosted 'The Price Is Right' from 1972 to 2007, making it the longest-running game show in North American television history. He also hosted 'Truth or Consequences' from 1956 to 1975. Barker died from Alzheimer's disease at age 99 in 2023.

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Geraldine Fitzgerald (1913-2005) -

The renowned Irish actress died at age 91, following a long battle with Alzheimer's disease. In 2020, she was listed at number 30 on The Irish Times list of Ireland's greatest film actors.

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Peter Falk (1927-2011) -

Best known for his role as Lieutenant Columbo on the series 'Columbo,' Falk's death was caused by pneumonia, with complications of Alzheimer's.

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George H.W. Bush (1924-2018) -

The 41st President of the United States, and two-time vice president under Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush lived with vascular parkinsonism from 2012 until his death in 2018.

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Rita Hayworth (1918-1987) -

Shortly after she was diagnosed in the early '80s, the Hollywood bombshell became one of the first celebrities to publicly share she had Alzheimer's. Hayworth's decision to speak out helped increase public and private funding for research. She died at age 68 from complications associated with Alzheimer's disease on May 14, 1987. 

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Burgess Meredith (1907-1997) -

With a career spanning over six decades, the iconic actor was famous for his distinctive raspy voice and his ability to portray a wide range of characters. Meredith died at age 89 from complications of Alzheimer's disease and melanoma. 

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Billy Graham (1918-2018) -

The well-known American evangelist was diagnosed with Parkinson's back in 1993. He was struggling with the disease in the later years of his life.

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Lila Kedrova (1909-2000) -

The Russian-born actress won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for 'Zorba the Greek' in 1964. She died of pneumonia, having suffered a long time with Alzheimer's disease.

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Etta James (1938-2012) -

The renowned blues singer suffered from chronic leukemia and Alzheimer's. She died on January 20, 2012, five days before her 74th birthday. 

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Lili Damita (1904-1994) -

The French-American actress and singer appeared in 33 films between 1922 and 1937. She died of Alzheimer's disease on March 21, 1994, in Palm Beach, Florida, aged 89.

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Gene Wilder (1933-2016) -

Mainly known for his comedic roles, and also for his portrayal of Willy Wonka in 'Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory' (1971), Wilder died from complications of Alzheimer's disease. He had been diagnosed three years prior but kept his condition private. 

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Edmond O'Brien (1915-1985) -

One of the most respected character actors in American cinema, O'Brien's career spanned almost 40 years. He died of complications from Alzheimer's disease at age 69. 

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Iris Murdoch (1919-1999) -

The Irish-British novelist and philosopher was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 1997. She died two years later in Oxford, England. 

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Mao Zedong (1893 - 1976) -

The founder of the People's Republic of China and chairman of the Chinese Communist Party tried to keep his deteriorating health a secret, but in 1974 he was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). His muscle weakness worsened, and he lost the ability to speak coherently before he passed away two years later.

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Eddie Albert (1906-2005) -

The American actor and activist was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performances in 'Roman Holiday' (1953) and 'The Heartbreak Kid' (1972). He died of Alzheimer's-related pneumonia at the age of 99. 

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Arlene Golonka (1936-2021) -

Often portraying bubbly, eccentric blondes, Golonka is remembered for playing Millie Hutchins on the television comedy 'The Andy Griffith Show' and Millie Swanson on 'Mayberry R.F.D.' At age 85, she died due to complications from Alzheimer's disease.

Sources: (Ranker) (IMDb)

See also: Famous figures who died of alcoholism

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