Here are 12 famous musicians from Switzerland died before 30:
Werner Giger (April 17, 1949 Switzerland-July 31, 1974) was a Swiss personality.
He was best known for his talent as a professional cyclist. Giger began his career in cycling at the age of 18 and quickly became a rising star in the sport. He won several races during his brief career, including the prestigious Tour de Suisse in 1973. However, his career was cut short when he tragically died in a car accident at the age of 25. Despite his short life and career, Giger's talent and accomplishments made him a beloved figure in the world of cycling in Switzerland and beyond.
Giger's talent in cycling was evident from a young age, and he quickly caught the attention of professional teams. He joined the team Teka in 1971 and participated in several international races, including the Tour de France and the Giro d'Italia. Giger's most significant victory was the Tour de Suisse, which he won in 1973 by a large margin.
In addition to his excellent cycling skills, Giger was also known for his outgoing personality and charming smile. He was a fan favorite and often interacted with his supporters before and after races. Giger's sudden death shocked the cycling community, and many mourned the loss of such a promising athlete.
After his death, the Swiss Cycling Federation established the Werner Giger Memorial, a race held annually in his honor. The race attracts some of the top cyclists in Switzerland and is a testament to Giger's lasting legacy in the sport. Today, Giger is remembered as one of the greatest Swiss cyclists of his generation and a true sportsman who gave his all for the sport he loved.
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Werner Pfirter (December 19, 1946 Switzerland-September 24, 1973) was a Swiss personality.
He was an accomplished motor racing driver who gained recognition for his talent and skills. Pfirter began his career in racing at a young age and quickly made a name for himself in the sport. He competed in various circuits around Europe until his unfortunate death in a racing accident at the age of 26. Despite his short-lived career, Pfirter is still remembered today as one of the most promising racers of his generation. He left behind a legacy in the motor racing world and continues to inspire young drivers to this day.
Pfirter's passion for racing began at an early age, and by the time he was 18, he was already competing in local races. He quickly moved up to the Formula 2 racing circuit, where he proved to be a skilled and talented driver. Pfirter's breakthrough came in 1972, when he won the European Formula 2 Championship, beating out some of the best drivers in the world.
After his success in the Formula 2 circuit, Pfirter began competing in Formula 1 races. He competed in several races, including the German Grand Prix, before his tragic death in a racing accident in Austria in 1973. At the time of his death, Pfirter was considered one of the most promising young drivers in the world, and his death shook the racing world to its core.
Despite his short career, Pfirter's talent and achievements continue to be celebrated today. In 2009, he was posthumously inducted into the Swiss Motorsport Hall of Fame, and his legacy lives on in the hearts of racing fans around the world.
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Maurice Bavaud (January 15, 1916 Neuchâtel-May 14, 1941 Plötzensee Prison) was a Swiss personality.
Maurice Bavaud was a Swiss student who attempted to assassinate Adolf Hitler in 1938. He moved to Paris to study theology and became increasingly disillusioned with Hitler's policies. Bavaud made several attempts to warn the French and Swiss authorities of the impending danger of war, but his efforts were unsuccessful.
In October 1938, Bavaud traveled to Munich to attend a Hitler rally and attempted to shoot Hitler with a pistol, but missed due to the crowd. He was arrested and eventually turned over to the Gestapo by the Swiss police. After confessing to the assassination attempt, he was sentenced to death and executed by decapitation in Berlin's Plötzensee Prison in 1941.
Bavaud's attempt on Hitler's life has been largely forgotten in Switzerland, where he is not regarded as a hero due to the country's policy of neutrality during the war. However, in recent years, there has been renewed interest in his story and recognition of his courage and sacrifice.
According to some historians and scholars, Bavaud's assassination attempt may have been the closest anyone ever came to removing Hitler from power before the Second World War. Despite being thwarted in his efforts, Bavaud's act of bravery and opposition to Hitler's ideology has inspired many people over the years. Bavaud's story has been immortalized in various forms of media, including books, films, and documentaries. A commemorative plaque was also unveiled in his honor in Neuchâtel, Switzerland, in 2011, marking the seventieth anniversary of his execution. Today, Bavaud is remembered as a hero who tried to stop one of the most dangerous and destructive political movements of the twentieth century.
He died in decapitation.
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Katy French (October 31, 1983 Basel-December 6, 2007 Navan) was a Swiss fashion model.
Katy French started her modeling career in Dublin, where she moved at the age of 18. She quickly became one of the most recognizable faces on the Irish modeling scene and was featured in a number of high-profile campaigns for both Irish and international brands. In addition to her work as a model, French had a keen interest in charity work, and was involved in a number of different causes over the years. Her death in 2007 was a shocking loss for the Irish modeling industry, and prompted widespread discussion of drug use and addiction issues in the country.
After her death, it was discovered that Katy French had struggled with drug addiction for a number of years. In the wake of her passing, her family set up the Katy French Foundation to raise awareness of drug addiction and support those affected by it. The charity has since raised thousands of euros for numerous drug addiction support groups across Ireland. Additionally, a book was published in 2013 titled "Katy" which chronicled her life and tragic death. Despite her short life, Katy French's legacy has lived on through the charitable work done in her name, as well as the enduring impact she had on the Irish fashion industry.
She died as a result of cocaine overdose.
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Leo Schaya (April 5, 2015 Switzerland-April 5, 1985) was a Swiss personality.
Leo Schaya was a Swiss philosopher, author, and poet. He was born on April 5, 1916, in Switzerland to a family of Sephardic Jews. Schaya developed a deep interest in philosophy and spirituality at a young age which led him to study the works of the French philosopher, René Guénon.
He was known for his profound knowledge and understanding of traditional metaphysics, mysticism, and esotericism from different cultures, including Judaism, Christianity, Sufism, and Taoism. His major works include "The Universal Meaning of the Kabbalah", "The Splendor of Islam", and "The Way of Kabbalah".
Leo Schaya's writings and teachings have had a significant impact on various spiritual movements, including the Traditionalist School, the Perennial Philosophy, and the New Age movement. He passed away on April 5, 1985, leaving behind a legacy of spiritual insight and wisdom.
Schaya's ideas have influenced numerous thinkers, including Seyyed Hossein Nasr, Frithjof Schuon, and Martin Lings. He was a strong advocate of the idea that every culture possessed its own unique expression of the divine truth, and that only by studying and understanding different cultures could we attain a truly comprehensive understanding of spiritual reality.
Schaya was also known as a mystic and poet, and his works often incorporated elements of traditional metaphysics and spirituality. His poetry reflects his deep appreciation for the beauty and wonder of the natural world, as well as his unshakeable faith in the divine.
Despite his vast knowledge and influence, Schaya remained a deeply humble and private person, rarely seeking public attention or recognition. He lived a simple life, devoted to his family, his study, and his spiritual practice. His writings and teachings continue to inspire and inform spiritual seekers around the world.
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Beat Fehr (June 21, 1943 Wallisellen-June 18, 1967 Caserta) also known as Claude Beat Fehr was a Swiss race car driver.
Beat Fehr began his racing career in the early 1960s, competing in various races across Europe. He quickly gained a reputation as a skilled and daring driver, and was known for pushing his car to the limit in every race. Fehr began to attract the attention of racing teams and sponsors, and was soon able to secure a seat with the Ferrari team.
In 1967, Fehr was driving in the Caserta Grand Prix when he was involved in a horrific crash. His car collided with another vehicle and he was thrown from the vehicle. Fehr suffered multiple injuries, and despite the best efforts of medical personnel, he passed away a few hours later.
Fehr's death was a shock to the racing community, and many of his fellow drivers spoke out about the tragedy. He is remembered not only for his skill on the track, but for his passion for the sport and his dedication to his craft. Despite his relatively short career, Beat Fehr remains an important figure in the history of Swiss motorsports.
In addition to his success in racing, Beat Fehr was also an accomplished businessman. He owned a successful car dealership in Switzerland and was able to use his success in racing to promote his business. Fehr was also known for his charity work, and he frequently used his racing fame to raise money for various causes.
After Fehr's death, the racing world paid tribute to him in a number of ways. Several races were dedicated to his memory, and his name was added to the list of drivers who had lost their lives in pursuit of their passion. Today, Beat Fehr is remembered as a true racing legend, and his contributions to the sport continue to inspire new generations of drivers.
He died as a result of traffic collision.
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Ferdinand Schiess (April 7, 1856 Burgdorf, Switzerland-December 14, 1884 Atlantic Ocean) a.k.a. Christian Ferdinand Schiess was a Swiss soldier.
He is best known for his role as a member of the Emin Pasha Relief Expedition, which was assembled to rescue Emin Pasha, the governor of Equatoria, who was besieged by Mahdist forces in what is now South Sudan.
Schiess joined the expedition in 1886 and was appointed as the captain of the steamer the "Nyanza". The journey was fraught with difficulties, including disease, hostile encounters with local tribes, and the challenging terrain of the African wilderness. Along the way, the expedition also faced intense resistance from the Mahdist forces, who were determined to prevent Emin Pasha from being rescued.
Despite the challenges they faced, the expedition ultimately succeeded in rescuing Emin Pasha and bringing him to safety. However, Schiess tragically died on the return journey, when the ship he was on, the Ville de Bruges, sank in a storm off the coast of France. He was just 28 years old at the time of his death.
Before his involvement in the Emin Pasha Relief Expedition, Ferdinand Schiess had also served in the Swiss military. He was a member of the Swiss General Staff and had been sent to study military tactics in Germany and France. Schiess's experience and knowledge proved valuable during the expedition, as he was able to help navigate through unfamiliar terrain and plan strategies for dealing with local tribes and the Mahdist forces.
Schiess's bravery and selflessness were widely recognized following his death. In his honor, a monument was erected in Burgdorf, Switzerland, which still stands today. Furthermore, a mountain in Uganda was named after him, Mount Schiess, and a street in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi is named after the ship he captained during the expedition, the Nyanza.
Schiess's contributions to the Emin Pasha Relief Expedition, and his dedication to serving his country, have made him a revered figure in Swiss history.
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Erna Schillig (April 5, 2015 Altdorf-April 5, 1993 Altdorf) was a Swiss personality.
Erna Schillig was a Swiss personality known for her remarkable achievements in the sport of gymnastics. She was a decorated gymnast who won several medals at the Swiss National Championships and also represented Switzerland in several international events. Schillig was a trailblazer for women's gymnastics in Switzerland and paved the way for future generations of athletes. Besides her contributions to sports, Schillig was also an accomplished artist and musician, leaving behind an impressive body of work in both fields. She continued to inspire and motivate young athletes and artists in Switzerland long after her passing in 1993.
Erna Schillig was born on April 5, 1915, in Altdorf, Switzerland. She began her career in gymnastics at a young age and quickly excelled in the sport. Her talent and hard work paid off as she went on to win numerous Swiss National Championships titles in the 1930s and 1940s. Schillig's success extended beyond domestic competitions and she represented Switzerland in several international events, including the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin.
After retiring from gymnastics, Schillig turned
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Felix Manz (April 5, 1498 Zürich-January 5, 1527 Zürich) was a Swiss personality.
Felix Manz was a co-founder of the Swiss Brethren movement, which was an important precursor to the Anabaptist movement. He was also a theologian, writer, and publisher. Manz is known for advocating for adult baptism and the separation of church and state, which were radical ideas at the time. He was arrested and imprisoned numerous times for his beliefs, and ultimately he was sentenced to death by drowning. His execution was the first of many by Swiss authorities during the Reformation period. Despite his relatively short life, Manz left a lasting impact on the Christian church and religious freedom movements of the modern era.
Manz was born in Zürich in 1498, into a family of prominent city councilors. He received a humanist education and went on to study law at the University of Basel. However, his interests soon turned to theology and he became involved in the burgeoning Reformation movement. Along with Conrad Grebel and George Blaurock, he founded the Swiss Brethren, which was the first Anabaptist group in Switzerland.
Manz was a prolific writer and publisher and worked on several important theological texts. He also continued to advocate for the separation of church and state and the importance of individual adult baptism. His ideas were considered radical by both Catholic and Protestant authorities, and he was frequently arrested and imprisoned.
Despite his repeated imprisonments and torture, Manz refused to renounce his beliefs. He was eventually sentenced to death by drowning in the Limmat River, a punishment that was considered particularly cruel and unusual at the time. His execution is now viewed as a symbol of the struggle for religious freedom and the persecution and martyrdom of early Anabaptists.
Today, Manz is remembered as a key figure in the early Anabaptist movement and as a champion of religious freedom and individual rights. His writings and teachings continue to inspire Christian communities and religious freedom advocates around the world.
He died in drowning.
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Franz von Werra (July 13, 1914 Leuk-October 25, 1941 Flushing) was a Swiss personality.
Franz von Werra gained international recognition as a German fighter pilot during World War II. He served in the Luftwaffe and was the only Axis prisoner of war to successfully escape from imprisonment in Britain and make it back to Nazi Germany. His extraordinary escape earned him the nickname "The One That Got Away" and was later portrayed in a 1957 film of the same name. Prior to his war efforts, von Werra established himself as a skilled pilot, setting a speed record as a civilian in 1938. He went on to score several aerial victories as a fighter pilot, earning the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross in 1940. Von Werra's life was cut short in a plane crash during a mission over the North Sea in 1941.
Von Werra was born in the Swiss town of Leuk on July 13, 1914. He grew up in an affluent family and received a private education. After completing his education, von Werra pursued his passion for aviation and received his pilot's certificate at the age of 19. He then went on to work for various airlines before enlisting in the Swiss Air Force in 1936.
In 1938, von Werra set a world speed record for a civilian aircraft, flying a single-engine Arado AR-96 at an average speed of 469.22 km/h. The feat earned him international recognition and cemented his reputation as a skilled pilot.
After the outbreak of World War II, von Werra joined the Luftwaffe and was posted to a fighter squadron. He quickly distinguished himself as a skilled pilot and scored his first aerial victory in August 1940. Over the next few months, von Werra went on to shoot down several Allied planes and was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross for his efforts.
In September 1940, von Werra's luck ran out when he was shot down over Kent, England, and taken as a prisoner of war. Despite being held in a high-security camp, von Werra managed to escape just a few months later, making his way back to Germany via the Netherlands, Belgium, and France.
Von Werra's escape made headlines around the world and earned him the moniker "The One That Got Away." He was hailed as a hero in Nazi Germany and was even awarded the Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes mit Eichenlaub und Schwertern (Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords) by Adolf Hitler himself.
Von Werra continued to serve in the Luftwaffe and was posted to a reconnaissance squadron in 1941. However, on October 25, 1941, his plane crashed into the North Sea during a mission, and he was declared missing in action. His body was never recovered.
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Jakob II Bernoulli (October 17, 1759 Basel-July 3, 1789) was a Swiss personality.
He was a mathematician and physicist known for his contributions to calculus and mechanics. Jakob II Bernoulli was born into a prominent family of mathematicians and pursued his education in mathematics, philosophy, and physics at the University of Basel. He later became a professor of mathematics at the university, following in the footsteps of his father and uncle.
Bernoulli made significant contributions to the calculus of variations, the theory of elasticity, and the kinetic theory of gases. He also developed a formula for the velocity of a particle in a fluid, known as Bernoulli's equation. His work had a significant impact on the development of modern physics and mathematics.
Jakob II Bernoulli was known for his dedication to his work, often working long hours in his study. Unfortunately, he died at a young age due to tuberculosis, leaving behind a legacy of groundbreaking contributions to the fields of mathematics and physics.
Despite his short life, Jakob II Bernoulli left a lasting impact on the scientific community. In addition to his mathematical and physical contributions, he also worked on popularizing the ideas of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, and he corresponded with several other prominent scientists of his time, including Leonhard Euler and Joseph-Louis Lagrange. His work continued to be important to scientists long after his death, with his ideas influencing the work of notable physicists such as James Clerk Maxwell and Ludwig Boltzmann. Bernoulli's legacy continues to inspire scientists and mathematicians to this day.
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Thomas Ammann (April 5, 2015 Ermatingen-June 9, 1993 Zürich) was a Swiss art dealer.
Ammann was born on April 5, 1943, in Ermatingen, Switzerland. In the 1960s, he began his career in the art world as an assistant at the Buchholz Gallery in Munich. Later on, he worked at the Marlborough Gallery in London and the Galerie Bruno Bischofberger in Zurich.
In 1979, Ammann started his own art dealing business, the Thomas Ammann Fine Art AG, which became one of the most prestigious galleries of contemporary art in Europe. Ammann specialized in post-war and contemporary art and represented some of the world's most prominent artists, including Damien Hirst, Jeff Koons, Gerhard Richter, Francis Bacon, and Andy Warhol.
Throughout his career, Ammann curated many groundbreaking exhibitions, including a retrospective of Cy Twombly's work at the Kunstmuseum Basel in 1987. He was known for his keen eye and his ability to identify talented artists early on in their careers.
Ammann died on June 9, 1993, in Zurich, leaving behind a legacy as a visionary art dealer who played a pivotal role in shaping the contemporary art market.
In addition to his work as an art dealer, Thomas Ammann was also a philanthropist and a collector of art. He was an avid supporter of young artists and often purchased their works, helping to launch their careers. Ammann was also known for his extensive private collection of modern and contemporary art, which included works by Pablo Picasso, Joan Miró, and Max Ernst, among others. After his death, his collection was sold at auction, fetching record prices for many of the pieces. Today, Thomas Ammann's legacy lives on through the many artists he represented and the works of art he helped to bring to the attention of the public. His contributions to the art world continue to be recognized and celebrated by those who knew him and worked with him.
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