Ten Legends Who Died Before Their Time

Throughout history, every era has brought out people who were born to be legends and leave a mark that can never be erased. It is indeed true that legends are born and not made. These people have defied the times and have used their charisma, their strong characters and their persona to change the course of the world.

However, certain legends that were born may have made a difference, but they left the planet before their time was done. These people will always be remembered as they are the sort of legends that you can never stop talking about. Here are the 10 legends that died before their time.

1.Michael Jackson (died age 50) - King of pop, creator of the moonwalk, legend of the thriller and of course composer of the world’s most memorable music. No human being on this planet does not know who Michael Jackson is!! Even in the deepest dark corners of the Amazon or the highest peak of the Everest, everybody has a piece of Jacko in them. When he died on June 29 2009, the whole world mourned for him whether you liked him or not. What hurts the most was he died when we were all dying of anticipation for his “This is it” show. I for one never thought the grim reaper would be that cruel and take away one of the most loved people in the world so soon. Indeed like his song says “gone too soon” Wacko Jacko will always be a name that will live on for the forth coming generations.

2.Princess Diana (Died aged 36) – It’s not only the music world that brings out legends. Princess Diana was indeed the people’s princess. She was the reason the English royal family was so interesting. Her son may be getting married soon but you can’t mention the English royal family without Diana popping up. Her sweet nature, her beautiful looks and her tender loving heart is what set her apart from all the royals. Again the grim reaper decided to tragically end her life on August 31 1997, when it was just getting more interesting. She is indeed the candle in the wind, like Elton John put it.

3. John F. Kennedy (Died age 46) – The most well known US president and also the most loved. Not only was he a handsome man filled with charisma and leadership qualities, he was also the prized gem of all Americans. He may have been facing tremendous difficulties during his presidency but he was never given enough time to solve them. I guess patience ran out for Lee Oswald who decided to wake up and shoot dead the president on that fateful day of November 22^nd 1963.

4. Marilyn Manroe (Died age 36) – The blonde bombshell that literally took over the world and gave all blondes a voice. Her bubbly nature, her cheeky side and of course her gracious acting won her attention from all over the world. Sadly her private life was nothing but glorious so on August 5^th 1962, she decided to end it all by committing suicide. An unfair act yes, but her name has lived on and countless people have impersonated her looks, her style and her presence but none can beat the original.

5.   Bob Marley – (died aged 36) The King of reggae music. Some call him “the Moses of the Caribbean people” Bob Marley was not just a reggae musician; he was the voice for the voiceless. His music brought comfort, peace and love to people all over the world. His involvement in bringing racial tension to an end, lending a hand in the political realm and his devotion to helping the poor people was what he did best. He was also nicknamed “Robin Hood of Africa” Sadly cancer took him away too soon on May 11^th 1981.

6. Bruce Lee  (Died aged 32) – King of Martial Arts, the reason why Jackie Chan and Jet Li got into movies and of course the birth of on screen Ninjas!! His revolutionary martial arts combat won him a place in Hollywood.   His movies such as Big Boss and Enter the Dragon always form a basis of all martial artists. Bruce was a man of steel, a man of skill and believe it or not, a man of peace (unless you piss him off). Nothing seemed to break him until the day he decided to take some paracetamol for his migraine on July 26, 1973.  He went to sleep and never woke up again.

7. Elvis Presley (Died Aged 42) - The king of rock n roll, the owner of the blue suede shoes and the most impersonated person in the entire world. Elvis’ music was superb, his dancing was spectacular and well he was the most handsome man of the 50s and 60s.  His character was so diverse that a whole town was built in honor of him called Graceland.  Sadly behind all the fame and fortune was a lonely, disturbed and confused man.  He too decided to end it all like Marilyn Monroe and overdosed himself on August 16 1977.

8. Freddy Mercury – (Aged 46) the most well known member of the rock band Queen. He had a voice of an angel and his colorful character is what drew audiences from all over the world.   His outrageous outfits, his persona on stage but most of all his ability to just draw crowds to listen to his musical talent which was fantastic.  He was one of a few well known people who “came out of the closet” and just a few months before he died it was revealed he was gay and had AIDS.  Although he seemed like the happiest man in the world, in fact he was the loneliest man in the world. It is rumored that when he was diagnosed with Aids he refused treatment and so in November 4^th 1991, he lost his life to the awful disease.

9.   Martin Luther King (Aged 39) – “I have a dream!” He was known as the savior of the black people in America. He fought for civil rights for all people in America.  He brought hope to the hopeless and made way for the beginning of freedom for all oppressed people in America. Sadly on April 4^th 1968 he was brutally gunned down and so ended the life of the man who made it his life’s goal to bring peace and freedom to his people.

10.Jimmy Hendrix (aged 27) –    The youngest legend on this list. He was indeed the Master and Lord of the guitar!!  Nobody could bring magic from the guitar the way Hendrix did. His catchy tunes and his style of playing the guitar is what attracted people to him.  Sadly fame and fortune was too much for him to handle and like Marilyn and Elvis he too overdosed on September 18^th 1970.

It is a crime shame the world no longer has these legends. They may have brought joy and happiness in our lives but they never seemed to have a peaceful life themselves. So legends may be born, but they certainly come at a price.  So if you ever want to become a legend, I suggest you think through it first as it’s not a job for the faint hearted!