Excerpts from Bellany's recent book,
"Wiki-People Who Died At Age 32"

Since 2006, Bellany has scoured Wikipedia for people who died at his exact age. When he was 32, he found 117 figures - some obscure and others notable, who had died at that tender age. In addition to writing up a short biography for each 'character', Bellany created original black and white portraits using illustrations he uncovered on image searches.

"Being the same age as each person I researched (when they died), I naturally felt a strong personal connection to their stories. I compared our accomplishments, social situations, and the eras in which we lived. It was a new way of looking at both history and myself. Now that I have moved on to age 33, I find myself contemplating the strange fact that I have lived longer than Bruce Lee, King Richard III and Alexander the Great. It definitely motivates me to work harder and make a difference."

↓more

・Bruce Lee

・Buzz Sawyer

・Davey Allison

・Dick Turpin

・Eadred of England

・Elizabeth Siddal

・Galeazzo Maria Sforza

・Glen Kidston

・Hernan Gaviria

・Jedediah 'Strong' Smith

・Joseph I

・Keith Godchaux

・Lya De Putti

・Mike Lockwood

・Ota Benga

・Ottavio Bottecchia

・Proof

・Regnier De Graaf

・Steve Chiasson

・Thomas Ashe

・Vladimir of Novgorod

・William Cartwright

・Wyndham Hallswelle

back to INDEX

Wiki-People Who Died At Age 32

Ottavio Bottecchia (1894-1927)
As one of nine children in a poor Italian family, Bottecchia attended school for just one year before becoming a bricklayer. Marrying early and having three children himself, he appeared to be repeating the life of his father when World War I broke out in Europe. As a sharpshooting specialist in the Austrian army, Bottecchia was given his first bicycle (a machine gun was attached to its handle bars). Escaping from a prison camp after being taken captive, he survived the war and set out to become the fastest bicycle racer in the world.

Within two years, Bottecchia had won several major Italian races and was wooed by a flashy French racing team. When he first arrived in Italy's northern neighbor, it was said that the only French he could manage was, "No bananas, lots of coffee, thank you." Eventually, his Italian teammate taught him to finally read his own native language, using Italian sports dailies and anti-fascist literature.

After finishing 2nd in 1923, Ottavio Bottecchia became the first Italian to win the Tour de France in 1924, supposedly singing most of the way, "I have seen the most beautiful eyes in the world but never as beautiful eyes as yours." Though a hero to many, he offended some Italian fascists by taking off the yellow leader's jersey during the stage nearest to the Italian border. It still remains a mystery as to why he did this.

Bottecchia is best know today for his mysterious death at the age of 32. After going out for a training ride near his hometown on June 3rd, 1927, his injured body was found beside a road. His skull was cracked and several other bones were broken. Yet, his bicycle lay some distance away, completely undamaged. Though the authorities ruled it an accident, many speculated that Mussolini and the fascists silenced him due to his leftist leanings. Two unrelated people later confessed to his murder. While their stories are heavily doubted, they have helped to keep the mystery alive.

Named in his honor, Bottecchia brand bicycles are now popular throughout Europe, selling more than 50,000 units in 2006 alone.