Notable deaths of 2007
Momofuku Ando, 96 (Jan. 5)
The Japanese businessman’s invention of Cup Noodle revolutionized how we eat one of the world’s oldest foods. (Chiaki Tsukumo / Associated Press)
Molly Ivins, 62 (Jan. 31)
The sharp-witted author and columnist described herself as “a left-wing, aging-Bohemian journalist, who never made a shrewd career move, never dressed for success.” (Carolyn Mary Bauman / Associated Press)
Boris Yeltsin, 76 (April 23)
The first leader in Russian history to be democratically elected, he would become the catalyst behind the Soviet collapse. (Alexander Zemlianichenko / Associated Press)
The Rev. Jerry Falwell, 73 (May 15)
The fiery and divisive Moral Majority founder helped build the religious right into a political force. (Mark Humphrey / Associated Press)
Ruth Graham, 87 (June 14)
As the wife of famed evangelist Billy Graham, she dispelled the notion of the demure preacher’s wife with her humor, spunk, poetry-writing and motorcycle riding. (Chris O’Meara / Associated Press)
Antonio Aguilar, 88 (June 19)
The Mexican singer and actor became internationally popular for his wholesome musical rodeos. (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)
Lady Bird Johnson, 94 (July 11)
The former first lady was a champion of conservation and took a visible role in her husband’s administration. (Robert Knudsen / Associated Press)
Norman Mailer, 84 (Nov. 10)
The pugnacious writer loomed large over the American literary landscape, publishing more than 30 books including Pulitzer winners, The Armies of Night and The Executioners Song. (Kathy Willens / Associated Press)
