Here are 5 famous musicians from Czech Republic died at 64:
Miloslava Rezková (July 22, 1950 Prague-October 19, 2014) otherwise known as Miloslava Rezkova or Miloslava Rezkova-Hubner was a Czech personality.
She was a former Olympic gymnast who won two gold medals for Czechoslovakia at the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City. Rezková was only 18 years old when she won her gold medals in the women's all-around individual and team events. She continued to compete in gymnastics for several years, and in 1972 she won a silver medal in the team event at the Munich Olympics. Later in her career, Rezková became a coach, working with young gymnasts in Czechoslovakia. She was also active in politics, representing the Civic Democratic Party in the Prague City Council from 1998 to 2002. Rezková passed away in 2014 at the age of 64.
During her gymnastics career, Miloslava Rezková won several other medals as well. In addition to her two golds and one silver at the Olympics, she also won two gold medals at the European Championships in 1967 and 1969. Rezková's success in the sport led her to become a well-respected figure in Czechoslovakia, and she was awarded the Order of Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk for her achievements in gymnastics.
After retiring from gymnastics, Rezková became involved in politics and served on the Prague City Council for four years. She also worked for the Czech Olympic Committee and was a member of the International Gymnastics Federation's women's technical committee. Rezková was a beloved figure in her home country, and her death in 2014 was met with an outpouring of grief and tributes from fans, athletes, and officials alike.
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Edvard Beneš (May 28, 1884 Kožlany-September 3, 1948 Sezimovo Ústí) also known as Edvard Benes, Edvard Beneš, Eduard Benes or Dr. Eduard Benes was a Czech politician.
He served twice as the President of Czechoslovakia, first from 1935 to 1938 and then from 1945 to 1948. Beneš was a key figure in the foundation of Czechoslovakia as an independent state after World War I, and he played a significant role in the country's diplomatic efforts during the interwar period. Prior to his presidency, Beneš served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs for Czechoslovakia. He was a strong advocate for democracy, freedom, and human rights, and worked to bring Czechoslovakia into the international community. However, his second presidency was marred by political turmoil, and he eventually resigned in October 1948, shortly before his death. Beneš is remembered as a patriot and statesman who fought tirelessly for his country's independence and sovereignty.
Beneš began his political career as a student activist, organizing protests against the Austro-Hungarian Empire. He went on to become a leader in the Czechoslovak National Council, which helped negotiate the country's independence in 1918. As Minister of Foreign Affairs, Beneš worked to establish Czechoslovakia's place in the world, seeking alliances with France and other Western powers. He was also a strong supporter of the League of Nations, and worked to promote disarmament and international cooperation.
During his second presidency, Beneš faced growing opposition from Communist and Soviet-backed politicians. In February 1948, the Communist Party staged a coup, seizing power and establishing a one-party state. Beneš was forced to accept a Communist-dominated government, which led to widespread protests and a loss of public support. He resigned in October 1948, and died a few months later from a heart attack.
Despite the controversies surrounding his second presidency, Beneš is widely regarded as one of the most important figures in Czechoslovakian history. His legacy includes the founding of an independent Czechoslovakia, his advocacy for democracy and human rights, and his efforts to promote international cooperation and peace. Beneš remains a symbol of Czechoslovakian nationalism, and his image can be found on coins and banknotes as well as public monuments.
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Jan František Beckovský (August 18, 1658 Havlíčkův Brod-December 26, 1722 Prague) also known as Jan Frantisek Beckovsky was a Czech writer.
He is considered one of the most important figures of Czech Baroque literature, known primarily for his satirical works that often criticized the social and political order of the time. Beckovský studied at the Jesuit gymnasium and university in Prague before embarking on a long and successful career as a playwright, poet, and novelist. His most famous works include the satirical novel "Sileziade", which lampooned the court culture of Silesia, and the comedic play "The Unfaithful Wife", which skewered the hypocrisy of the Catholic Church. Despite facing censorship and persecution from both the Church and the state, Beckovský continued to write and publish works that challenged the status quo, until his death in 1722.
Beckovský was also known for his linguistic prowess, and was considered an expert in several languages including Latin, French, and German. His mastery of language is evident throughout his works, which often feature intricate wordplay and clever puns. In addition to his literary pursuits, Beckovský was also active in politics, serving as a member of the Bohemian Assembly and advocating for greater rights and freedoms for the Czech people. He was a proponent of the Enlightenment and the ideas of reason and progress, and his works reflect these values. Today, Jan František Beckovský is remembered as one of the most important Czech writers of the Baroque period, and his contributions to Czech literature and culture continue to be studied and celebrated.
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Bedřich Pokorný (March 6, 1904 Brno-March 25, 1968 Brno) was a Czech personality.
He was a celebrated composer, organist and music educator. Bedřich Pokorný spent most of his life in Brno, where he served as the organist at St. Leopold's Church from 1928 to 1959. He was also an esteemed professor of organ and composition at the Janáček Academy of Music and Performing Arts in Brno.
Bedřich Pokorný's compositions were primarily for the organ, and he was well-known for his ability to skillfully use the unique tonal quality of each organ he played. He was also an accomplished music educator, and his students included some of the most notable Czech organists and composers of the time.
Despite his prominence in the world of music, Bedřich Pokorný was also known for his humility and kindness, and he was greatly admired for his gentle nature and willingness to help others.
In addition to his work as a composer and music educator, Bedřich Pokorný was also an accomplished musicologist. He conducted extensive research on the history and development of Czech music, particularly the Baroque period. Pokorný authored several articles and books on Czech music and was considered one of the foremost experts in the field. His legacy also includes his numerous performances and recordings, which showcase his exemplary musicianship and technical ability on the organ. Bedřich Pokorný was recognized and honored for his contributions to music and culture, receiving the Medal of Merit from the Czechoslovak government in 1948 and the Masaryk Academy of Arts Award in 1964.
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Jan Žižka (April 5, 1360 Borovany-October 11, 1424 Žižkovo Pole) also known as Jan Zizka was a Czech personality.
Jan Žižka was a military leader who led the Hussites, a group of Bohemian Christian reformers, in a series of battles against the Holy Roman Empire during the early 15th century. He is considered a national hero in the Czech Republic for his role in defending Bohemia against significant odds. He lost an eye in a battle but continued to fight and innovate military tactics. His use of war wagons, wagons that had long wooden stakes attached to them, allowed his army to be mobile while still being protected from enemy fire. Today, a statue of Jan Žižka on horseback stands in Prague's Vitkov Hill as a symbol of Czech resistance and nationalism.
In addition to his military leadership, Jan Žižka was also a skilled diplomat, negotiating with both the Catholic Church and the Hussite factions to maintain unity within the Hussite movement. He also helped to establish the Four Articles of Prague, which demanded significant reforms from the Catholic Church, including the right to receive communion in both bread and wine. Jan Žižka was known for his frugality and for the care he took in providing for his soldiers, particularly the wounded. He was recognized by his contemporaries as a man of great courage and honor and is considered one of the most important figures in Czech history. His legacy is celebrated each year with a festival in the Czech Republic, called Žižkovské slavnosti, which includes historical reenactments and other festivities.
He died in bubonic plague.
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