List of Famous people who died at 72

Thomas Kent Wetherell was an American politician and educator. He served as member of the Florida House of Representatives from 1980 to 1992, and was president of Florida State University from 2003 through 2009.

Delia Davin was a writer and lecturer on Chinese society and particularly Chinese women's stories. She was one of the first foreign scholars to consider the impact of the policies of the Chinese Communist Party on women.

Igor Vadimovich Ledogorov was a Russian actor.

Hryhoriy Mykytovych Vasiura was originally a senior lieutenant in the Red Army who was captured during the Nazi invasion of the USSR in 1941 and subsequently volunteered for service in the Schutzmannschaft and the Waffen-SS. Vasiura's wartime activities were not fully revealed until the mid-1980s, when he was convicted as a war criminal by a Soviet military court and executed in 1987 for his role in the Khatyn massacre.

Yoshito Sengoku was a Japanese politician serving in the House of Representatives in the Diet as a member of the Democratic Party of Japan.

Helmut Griem was a German film, television and stage actor, and director.

Manuel Leguineche Bollar, better known as Manu Leguineche, was a Spanish correspondent, journalist and writer. He was born in Arratzu, Biscay. He founded the Spanish news agencies Colpisa and Fax Press. He divorced from Rosa María Mateo.

Nelly Borgeaud was a French film actress. She appeared in 43 films between 1955 and 2001. Borgeaud was born in Creuse, France, and died in Geneva, Switzerland, at age 72. Her film career spanned 50 years. In 1968, she appeared on Broadway as Elmire in Tartuffe.

Adalberto Álvarez was a Cuban pianist, musical director, and composer.

Vera Nikolić was a Serbian middle-distance runner, who competed at the 1968 and 1972 Olympics, and later coach. She had her best achievements in the 800 m event, in which she won European titles in 1966 and 1971 and set a world record, 2:00.5, on 20 July 1968 holding it until 11 July 1971. She came to the 1968 Olympics as a favorite, but due to the pressure of being the favorite she gave up her semifinal – after leading it for 300 m she suddenly stepped off the track, walked back to the start, sat down and took off her shoes. She set her personal best in 800 m in finishing fifth in the final at 1972 Olympics.