Poland mourns a wave of cultural loss as artists—from singers and actors to journalists and chefs—died between 2024 and 2025, marking a year of significant bereavements.
Ryszard Poznakowski – 78, Composer
On 1 December 2024, the composer and arranger Ryszard Poznakowski passed away. A member of Trubadurzy and Czerwono‑Czarni, he worked with Krzysztof Krawczyk, Zbigniew Wodecki and Alicja Majewska, earning the Polityka Passport in the “Culture Creator” category in 2023.
Stanisław Tym – 87, Actor, Satirist, Journalist
Stanisław Tym, famed for roles in “Rejs” and “Misiu”, died on 6 December 2024 at age 87. In addition to acting, he was a noted satirist and publicist.
Piotr Pytlakowski – 73, Investigative Journalist
Former investigative journalist Piotr Pytlakowski died 31 December 2024 at 73. He wrote mainly for the weekly “Polityka” and authored a book, receiving the Grand Press award in 1999.
Longin Pastusiak – 89, Professor, Politician
Professor Longin Pastusiak, who served as a Member of Parliament (1991‑2001), Senator, and Marshal of the Senate, died on 10 January 2025 at 89. A member of the Democratic Left Alliance, he specialized in United States history.
Barbara Rylska – 88, Actress
Actress Barbara Rylska, known for the film “Poszukiwany, poszukiwana”, died 11 January 2025, just before her 89th birthday.
Marcin Wicha – 52, Writer, Graphic Artist
Marcin Wicha, whose essay collection “Rzeczy, których nie wyrzuciłem” earned the Polityka Passport, Nike Literary Award, and Witold Gombrowicz Award, died 24 January 2025 at 52.
Marian Turski – 98, Historian, Journalist, Holocaust Survivor
History professor and publicist Marian Turski, a Holocaust survivor and activist of the International Auschwitz Council, passed away 18 February 2025 at 98.
Jadwiga Jankowska‑Cieślak – 73, Film and Theatre Actress
Film and stage actress Jadwiga Jankowska‑Cieślak died 15 April 2025 at 74. She appeared in “Stan wewnętrzny”, “Sztukakochania”, and earned a Golden Palm at Cannes for the Hungarian drama “Inne spojrzenie”.
Tomasz Jakubiak – 41, Chef
TV chef Tomasz Jakubiak, known from “MasterChef”, died 30 April 2025 at 41. He had publicly announced a diagnosis of aggressive cancer the previous year.
Waldemar Skrzypczak – 69, General
General Waldemar Skrzypczak, former commander of the Land Forces (2006‑2009) and defense‑minister advisor, died 21 July 2025 at 69. He served as State Secretary in the Ministry of National Defence in 2012‑2013.
Joanna Kołaczkowska – 59, Cabaret Artist, Actress
Actress and cabaret artist Joanna Kołaczkowska, co‑creator of the Hrabi cabaret, died 17 July 2025 at 59. In April she disclosed her battle with cancer.
Jerzy Dziewulski – 81, Former Police Officer, Anti‑Terrorist
Former policeman Jerzy Dziewulski, who coordinated security efforts during 13 terrorist attacks, died 11 August 2025 at 81. He served as a security advisor to President Aleksander Kwaśniewski and was an MP for the SLD from 1991‑2005.
Stanisław Soyka – 66, Singer, Composer, Poet
Polish musician Stanisław Soyka, famed for “Tolerancja”, “Cud niepamięci”, and “Absolutnie nic”, passed away unexpectedly 21 August 2025, just before a performance at the Sopot Festival.
Adam Strzembosz – 95, Professor, Former Justice Minister
Professor Adam Strzembosz, the first President of the Supreme Court and former Deputy Minister of Justice, died 10 October 2025 at 95. He served as Chair of the National Judicial Council (1994‑1998) and received the Order of the White Eagle and the Grand Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta.
