10. Kate Spade
In June, fashion designer Kate Spade was found dead at age 55 in her New York City apartment in an apparent suicide.
Spade launched her namesake brand in 1993, a year before she married her husband, Andy. Over the following years, the couple ran the business together out of their apartment in Tribeca, transforming it into a $27 million business by 1998.
The couple eventually sold the business to Neiman Marcus in 2006, but their love of handbags didn't end there. Years later, after the birth of their daughter, they made a second foray into fashion, launching Frances Valentine, a handbag-and-shoe company, in 2015.
- Read more about the life of Kate Spade:
- Here's the story behind the rise of Kate Spade's handbag empire
- Kate Spade's close friend and business partner says the late designer left 4 seasons of completed work for her handbag company
- Kate Spade was completely detached from her namesake brand at the time of her death, but nostalgic shoppers have flocked to its stores. Here's what the brand's future could be
9. Stephen Hawking
In March, Stephen Hawking died at the age of 76.
Hawking, a theoretical physicist, made several discoveries that transformed the way scientists viewed black holes and the universe. Though he had Lou Gehrig's disease — the neurodegenerative malady also known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), which impaired his motor functions — he went on to become a mathematics professor and eventually the director of research at the University of Cambridge's Center for Theoretical Cosmology.
Hawking was also known to bridge the gap on complicated subjects by infusing humor and wit during his lectures. His character and personality produced several infamous anecdotes and references in pop culture, including appearances on various TV shows.
- Read more about Hawking's life and career:
- 15 of the most remarkable and memorable things Stephen Hawking ever said
- A brief history of Stephen Hawking's time on planet Earth in one chart
- Stephen Hawking was only expected to live a few years after being diagnosed with ALS at age 21 — here's what the disease is
8. XXXTentacion
In June, rapper XXXTentacion was shot dead in his car after leaving a motorcycle dealer in South Florida.
At the time of his death, XXXTentacion — whose real name is Jahseh Onfroy — was awaiting trial for a 2016 domestic abuse case. He faced charges of aggravated battery of his pregnant girlfriend, domestic battery by strangulation, false imprisonment, and witness tampering.
Onfroy rose to fame off of his 2016 single "Look at Me!" His debut studio album, "17," reached No. 2 on the Billboard 200 album chart and was certified gold in 2017. Onfroy's second studio album, "?," debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard album chart in March.
By August, four suspects accused of killing Onfroy had been taken into custody.
7. Anthony Bourdain
Anthony Bourdain, the celebrity chef who hosted CNN's "Parts Unknown," was found dead in June in an apparent suicide.
In 2000, Bourdain wrote "Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly," which detailed his life as a chef. The book, which became a best-seller, marked the beginning of his breakout as a crossover star. Bourdain went on to become a celebrity chef, an author, TV host, and the winner of four Emmys and a Peabody Award. He often spoke about his earlier struggles with drug use and his rocky path to stardom.
6. Meghan Markle
On May 19, England's Prince Harry and American actress Meghan Markle married in what was likely the most talked-about wedding of the year. Markle, a 36-year-old actress and Los Angeles native, began quietly dating Harry in October 2016, subsequently giving up her acting career and moving to England full-time.
In October, Kensington Palace confirmed that Markle is pregnant and due to give birth to a royal baby in spring 2019.
- Read more about Meghan Markle and the royal wedding:
- Meghan Markle is about to leave behind a surprisingly relatable life to become Britain's first-ever American princess — see her former house, car, and wardrobe
- All the details you need to know about Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's fairy-tale wedding
- Here are the first photos of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle as a married couple
- Insiders say George Clooney is a 'shoe-in' to be the godfather of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's baby — here's a closer look at the royal's friendship with the Clooneys
- The biggest royal drama of 2018
5. "Black Panther"
In January, "Black Panther" hit theaters. It was the first black superhero movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and critics almost universally loved it: many called it one of the best movies in MCU, and they also loved that it's the first movie in the saga to have a social message.
By March, "Black Panther" became the highest-grossing superhero movie of all-time at the domestic box office.
- Read more about "Black Panther":
- 15 things even die-hard fans may have missed in 'Black Panther'
- Michael B. Jordan added 15 pounds of muscle after 'Creed' to play the villain in 'Black Panther' — here's how he did it
- 'Black Panther' star Chadwick Boseman is sick and tired of doing the Wakanda salute all the time
- The 7 biggest questions we had after watching Marvel's 'Black Panther,' and hope are answered in the sequel
4. Stan Lee
Stan Lee died in November at the age of 95.
The former president and chairman of Marvel Comics had become the beloved face of the Marvel universe, popping up in cameos for the last decade in many of the big-screen adaptations starring the characters he helped birth in comic book form.
3. Mac Miller
In September, the rapper Mac Miller died of an overdose of drugs and alcohol at the age of 26.
The rapper and producer, a Pittsburgh native, had been open about his struggles with substance abuse in the past. In May, shortly after the end of his two-year relationship with the pop singer Ariana Grande, Miller was charged with a DUI after police said he hit a utility pole with his car.
Following reports of Miller's death, condolences and grief poured out from the music community. Grande wrote on Instagram: "I can't believe you aren't here anymore. I really can't wrap my head around it."
2. Avicii
In April, Swedish DJ and producer Tim Bergling, known by his stage name Avicii, died at the age of 28.
Bergling retired from touring in 2016, citing a series of health concerns that included acute pancreatitis, in part due to excessive drinking, he told Billboard at the time. While Bergling's cause of death was initially undetermined, later reports indicated that his death was a suicide.
Bergling released a number of hit singles in the past decade, including the 2011 EDM hit "Levels" and the six-time platinum song "Wake Me Up," featuring the singer Aloe Blacc, which peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 2013.
1. World Cup
In June, 32 countries headed to Russia to compete for the biggest prize in international football: the World Cup.
After a remarkable victory over Croatia, France became the 2018 FIFA World Cup champion
Searches for the World Cup saw the biggest year-over-year spike in 2018, due to both the popularity of the event and the fact that the tournament occurs only once every four years.
- Read more:
- Brilliant Mbappé, insane Varane, and a Floyd Mayweather spirit — this is everything you need to know about how France won the 2018 World Cup
- The most mesmerizing photos from the World Cup
- France's 19-year-old wunderkind is donating his World Cup winnings to charity — and the total could be more than $500,000
If you or someone you know is struggling with depression or has had thoughts of harming themselves or taking their own life, get help. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-8255) provides 24/7, free, confidential support for people in distress, as well as best practices for professionals and resources to aid in prevention and crisis situations.
