List of Famous people who died in 1979

Viktoria Savs served in the Austro-Hungarian Army during the First World War disguised as a man. She was one of two known female soldiers on the Austrian front lines. She served with the knowledge of her superiors, but virtually unrecognized as a woman, on the Dolomite front from 1915 to 1917. After a severe injury in May 1917, she was hospitalized, and her biological sex was discovered, ending her military career. She was awarded several medals for her dedication and bravery. She was known as the "Heroine of the Drei Zinnen."

Mustafa Barzani also known as Mala Mustafa, was a Kurdish leader, and one of the most prominent political figures in modern Kurdish politics. In 1946, he was chosen as the leader of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) to lead the Kurdish revolution against Iraqi regimes, although at times he also allied himself to the Iranian government. Barzani was the primary political and military leader of the Kurdish revolution until his death in March 1979. He led campaigns of armed struggle against both the Iraqi and Iranian governments.

Muhsin Ertuğrul, also known as Ertuğrul Muhsin Bey, was a Turkish actor and director.

Bruno Coquatrix was a French music producer, the owner and manager of the Olympia Hall in Paris from 1954 until his death in 1979.

Arthur Lee Hunnicutt was an American actor known for his portrayal of wise, grizzled, and old rural characters. He received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in The Big Sky (1952). He was also known for his role in the Western television series Sugarfoot (1957-1961).

Pedro Lazaga Sabater was a Spanish film director and screenwriter. He directed 94 films between 1948 and 1979.

Elizabeth Montague Ryan was an American-British tennis player who was born in Anaheim, California, but lived most of her life in the United Kingdom. Ryan won 26 Grand Slam titles, 19 in women's doubles and mixed doubles at Wimbledon, an all-time record for those two events. Twelve of her Wimbledon titles were in women's doubles and seven were in mixed doubles. Ryan also won four women's doubles titles at the French Championships, as well as one women's doubles title and two mixed-doubles titles at the U.S. Championships.

Peter William Shorrocks Butterworth was an English actor and comedian, best known for his appearances in the Carry On series of films. He was also a regular on children's television and radio, and was known for playing The Monk in Doctor Who. Butterworth was married to the actress and impressionist Janet Brown.

Jean-Louis Bory was a French writer, journalist and film critic.

Countess Alexandra (Sasha) Lvovna Tolstaya, often anglicized to Tolstoy, was the youngest daughter and secretary of the noted Russian novelist Leo Tolstoy.