Trailblazers We Lost in 2025: Honoring Remarkable Women Whose Legacies Live On

We honor some of the extraordinary women we lost in 2025 including trailblazers, artists, advocates and leaders whose impact continues to shape culture, history and the lives they touched. Though they are no longer with us, their legacies endure and their influence remains deeply felt.

In Memoriam:

Diane Keaton (1946–2025) — The Academy Award–winning actress celebrated for iconic roles in Annie Hall, The Godfather trilogy, and Father of the Bride. Her distinctive style, wit, and emotional depth made her one of the most original and enduring performers of her generation.

Roberta Flack (1937–2025) — Grammy-winning soul singer whose timeless hits, including “Killing Me Softly with His Song” and “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face,” redefined emotional storytelling through music.

Brigitte Bardot (1934–2025) — French film icon of the New Wave era who later became a fierce and unapologetic advocate for animal rights.

June Lockhart (1925–2025) — Beloved actress best known for her roles in Lassie and Lost in Space, whose warmth and grace spanned generations of television audiences.

Diane Ladd (1935–2025) — Award-nominated actress with a seven-decade career across film and stage. Though she once discouraged her daughter, Laura Dern, from acting, she went on to portray Dern’s on-screen mother at least five times — a testament to their enduring creative bond.

Jane Goodall (1934–2025) — World-renowned primatologist, anthropologist, and conservationist who revolutionized humanity’s understanding of chimpanzees and reshaped global conservation efforts.

Cecile Richards (1957–2025) — Former president of Planned Parenthood and a lifelong advocate for reproductive rights, women’s health, and social justice.

Sophie Kinsella (1969–2025) — Best-selling author of the "Confessions of a Shopaholic" series, which sold more than 45 million copies worldwide, bringing humor, heart, and relatability to women’s literature.

Betty Reid Soskin (1921–2025) — The oldest active U.S. National Park Service ranger and a powerful storyteller who preserved underrepresented World War II narratives. She passed away at age 104.

Ieda Maria Vargas (1944–2025) — The first Brazilian Miss Universe, whose victory helped redefine women’s presence and influence on the global pageant stage.

Michelle Trachtenberg (1985–2025) — Actress known for her roles in Harriet the Spy, Gossip Girl, and Ice Princess, whose early career left a lasting mark on millennial pop culture. She was 39.

Viola Ford Fletcher (1914–2025) — Author and the oldest known survivor of the Tulsa Race Massacre. At age 111, she left behind a powerful legacy of truth-telling through her memoir, Don’t Let Them Bury My Story, recounting the destruction of Tulsa’s historic Black Wall Street.

Anne Burrell (1969–2025) — Celebrated chef and Food Network star whose platinum-blonde hair, bold personality and culinary expertise made her one of television’s most recognizable and beloved food personalities. She rose to prominence on Iron Chef America before hosting Secrets of a Restaurant Chef.

A Note of Remembrance

This list is not exhaustive. Countless women, known and unsung, left indelible marks on their families, communities, industries, and movements in 2025. Though not all are named here, their impact is not lost, and their stories continue to matter. We honor them all.