Jalal Talabani

Profession: 6th President of Iraq

Biography: As an Iraqi-Kurdish politician, Talabani was the first non-Arab president of Iraq, and was the founder and secretary general of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK).

Widely known as "Mam Jalal" (Uncle Jalal), Talabani was a long-time campaigner for a sovereign Kurdish state in northern Iraq. He lived just long to see the 2017 Iraqi Kurdistan independence referendum cast 92% votes in favor of independence.

Born: November 12, 1933
Birthplace: Kelkan, Iraq

Generation: Silent Generation
Chinese Zodiac: Rooster
Star Sign: Scorpio

Died: October 3, 2017 (aged 83)
Cause of Death: Brain haemorrhage following a stroke