11 noteworthy deaths of 2011

A look back at 11 prominent figures of the 21st century who have died this year.

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Aug. 23, 2011

Andy Rooney tapes his last regular appearance on "60 Minutes" in New York. The veteran broadcaster died Nov. 4 at age 92. CBS News said he had been hospitalized for an undisclosed surgery but he did not recover after major complications developed.

/ AP

Osama bin Laden

The Al-Qaeda leader’s death came nearly a decade after attacks on New York and the Pentagon.

/ AFP

Steve Jobs

Steve Jobs, who co-founded Apple and revolutionized personal computing, died Oct. 5. He suffered from a rare form of pancreatic cancer.

David Paul Morris / Getty

Amy Winehouse

The talented but troubled performer was found dead in her home in London.

Steffen Schmidt / AP

Moammar Gaddafi

Moammar Gaddafi had ruled Libya for more than 40 years. His legacy ended as revolutionary fighters captured his hometown stronghold of Sirte, and his death was confirmed by Libya’s prime minister.

John Redman / AP

Elizabeth Taylor

Elizabeth Taylor, a voluptuous, violet-eyed actress who lived a life of luster and anguish and spent more than six decades as one of the world’s most visible women, was known for her two Academy Awards, eight marriages, ravaging illnesses and work in AIDS philanthropy.

Matt Sayles / AP

The Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth

The Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth, 89, had been hailed by Martin Luther King Jr. for his courage and energy as a Civil Rights activist.

Dave Martin / AP

R. Sargent Shriver

R. Sargent Shriver Jr., founding director of the Peace Corps who led numerous anti-poverty programs in the 1960s, served as ambassador to France and ran unsuccessfully for vice president, died Jan. 18, 2011 of Alzheimer’s disease. He was 95.

Justin Sullivan / Getty Images

Betty Ford

Betty Ford, who called the White House home from 1974 to 1977, fought breast cancer, arthritis and addictions to drugs and alcohol. She died July 8, 2011, at age 93.

Mike Theiler / Reuters

Hubert J. Schlafly Jr.

Hubert J. Schlafly Jr., a television engineer who played a key role in developing satellite television and aided countless politicians and performers when he helped invent the teleprompter, died at 91.

/ Barco Library, The Cable Center

Geraldine Ferraro

Ferraro became the first woman on a major-party ticket when Democratic presidential nominee Walter F. Mondale selected her as his running mate in 1984.

Stephan Savoia / AP

Featured Photo Galleries

PARIS, FRANCE - MAY 29: Serena Williams of USA stretches to plays a forehand in her women's singles first round match between Serena Williams of USA and Virginie Razzano of France during day three of the French Open at Roland Garros on May 29, 2012 in Paris, France. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

French Open results: Serena Williams loses, Maria Sharapova cruises

The American tennis star lost in the first round of a Grand Slam event.

Winnie Pajcic, 9, holds on to a railing as she leans back in the wind during a visit to Stockton Park in Ortega, Fla., in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Beryl on Monday May 28, 2012. Beryl came ashore early Monday near Jacksonville Beach with near-hurricane-strength winds of 70 mph. (AP Photo/The Florida Times-Union, Kelly Jordan)

Tropical storm Beryl, Flugtag, Rolling Thunder, Memorial Day and more in the day in photos

Tropical storm Beryl, Flugtag, Rolling Thunder, Memorial Day and more.

Camels rest at a watering hole outside the town of Aleg May 25, 2012. REUTERS/Joe Penney (MAURITANIA - Tags: ANIMALS SOCIETY)

Camels, tigers, turtles, a giant stag beetle and more in animal views

Camels, tigers, turtles, a giant stag beetle and more.

ANNAPOLIS, MD- MAY 29: Graduates cheer as the Blue Angels fly over during the 100th anniversary of the United States Naval Academy Graduation and Commissioning Ceremonies in Annapolis, Maryland, on Tuesday, May 29, 2012. U.S Sec. of Defense Leon Edward Panetta gave the graduation address. (Photo by Nikki Kahn/The Washington Post)

U.S. Naval Academy graduation

Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta gave the commencement address at the ceremony.

LAS VEGAS, NV - MAY 26: Singer/actress Jennifer Lopez (C) performs with dancers during the Q'Viva! The Chosen Live show at the Mandalay Bay Events Center on May 26, 2012 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Eye on entertainment

Jennifer Lopez, Marc Anthony, Lil Jon, Eddie Van Halen, Mariah Carey and other celebrities.

Doc Watson, bluegrass and folk legend, dies at 89

The blind singer and guitarist was a Grammy winner, known for his flat-picking style of guitar playing.

Henry, a calf, sustained a head wound and required stitches after being slashed over the weekend.

Farm animals attacked in Fairfax

A calf, two goats and a chicken were slashed over the weekend at Frying Pan Farm Park in Herndon.

COVINGTON, LA - MAY 14: Brother Emmanuel Labrise of St. Joseph's Abbey prepares a casket for lining on May 15, 2012 in Covington, Louisiana. Louisiana law forbids those who are not licensed funeral directors from selling caskets. And since Hurricane Katrina leveled the timberlands that once provided the main source of funding for the abbey, the monks have attempted to make a living by building and selling simple cypress caskets. The monks won their first round last year, and have a hearing at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit in June. (Photo by Sean Gardner/For the Washington Post)

Louisiana monks fight for the right to sell coffins

Federal court case pits a group of monks against the funeral home industry.

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