Why They Left Us Too Early? (part I)

Their lives shaped the world and their deaths saddened it. For this list I have chosen political figures who died abruptly at a young age.

Harvey Milk (1930 – 1978)

One of the first openly gay people to win political office in America, it was Milk’s spirit of inclusion that won him the allegiance of not only the LBGT community but also the world. Living his life in the closet until he was approaching middle age, his position in politics may have been relatively minor in comparison to others on this list, but his life galvanized a movement that’s still strong today. Gunned down by political enemy Dan White, Milk was Introduced to a new generation by the Sean Penn biopic, and remains a beloved figure.

Evita Perón (1919 - 1952)

An aspiring actress, Eva Duarte met Colonel Juan Perón and the trajectory of her life was forever changed. A year after the two were married, her new husband was elected President of Argentina. As the new first lady, she fought for the women of Argentina to gain the vote. She went so far as to found the country’s first female political party that was taken seriously. Although she ran for the Vice Presidency, her unsuccessful fight against cancer forced her to withdraw. Though her untimely death ended her political aspirations, Eva Perón’s posthumous fame grew when she became the subject of a smash musical, “Evita.”

Ernesto Che Guevara (1928 - 1967)

Many people today may recognize him from those Rage Against the Machine t-shirts or that movie they didn’t see, but Che’s impact on Cuba can’t be measured. Disgusted by the hunger and disease he saw in South America, he came to see the United States as the enemy. Alongside Raúl and Fidel Castro, he led a movement to overthrow Cuban dictator Fulgencio Batista through guerilla tactics. Once their bid for power succeeded, he held many positions in the new government. Leaving Cuba in 1965 to aid other guerrilla movements out to quash imperialism, Che was captured and executed by CIA-backed Bolivian forces in 1967.

Ahmad Shah Massoud (1953 - 2001)

Assassinated two days before the September 11th attacks, this fierce opponent of the Taliban and all enemies of Afghanistan’s freedom fell victim to a targeted suicide bombing. Massoud first came to world prominence as a leader in the fight against the Soviet occupation of his land. His legacy is one of unflinching loyalty to his country and its people. The leader of the Northern Alliance, he has been declared a National Hero and September 9 is celebrated as Massoud Day.

Robert Kennedy (1925 - 1968)

Though he died before attaining the Presidency he sought, Robert Kennedy’s life should not be underestimated. As a Senator and the U.S. Attorney General under his brother, RFK earned the respect and love of America. Kennedy was a strong proponent of the civil rights movement and a strong opponent of organized crime. He was poised to take a run at the presidency when he was gunned down at a campaign stop by Sirhan Sirhan. Kennedy had played a crucial role as an adviser in brother JFK’s presidency, and it’s likely his time in the White House could have been every bit as revered.