Literature · Activism · 1955–2017
Born: 28 December 1955 · Died: 13 July 2017 · Age at death: 61
Liu Xiaobo died aged 61. He was born on 28 December 1955 and died on 13 July 2017.
Chinese writer and human-rights activist who co-wrote Charter 08 and won the Nobel Peace Prize while in prison
Did you know?He was represented by an empty chair at his Nobel ceremony because he was serving a prison sentence at the time.
Liu Xiaobo was China's best-known dissident. A literary critic, he returned from abroad to join the 1989 Tiananmen protests. He helped negotiate the safe exit of students from the square. He was jailed several times. He co-wrote Charter 08, calling for democracy. He was sentenced to 11 years. He won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2010 and died in custody.
Liu Xiaobo (Chinese: 刘晓波; pinyin: Liú Xiǎobō; 28 December 1955 – 13 July 2017) was a Chinese literary critic, human rights activist, philosopher and Nobel Peace Prize laureate who called for political reforms and was involved in campaigns to end Chinese Communist Party one-party rule in China.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
Profile
Chinese writer and activist, 1955–2017
Liu Xiaobo was born in Changchun on 28 December 1955.
He joined the Tiananmen protests in 1989.
He co-wrote Charter 08.
He received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2010.
Career highlights
Did you know?His Nobel medal was symbolised by an empty chair in Oslo.
Questions people ask
1856–1924
b. 1969
1903–1957
b. 1954
1922–2018
1934–2024Missing someone? Suggest them
1929–1968
1642–1727
1935–1977
1942–2018A newspaper from their birth date
The front page from the day they were born, a classic keepsake.
Shop on AmazonCapricorn zodiac gifts
Jewellery, prints and candles for the Capricorn in your life.
Shop on EtsyStar map of December 28
A custom print of the night sky on their birthday.
Shop on EtsyMilestone birthday gifts
Ideas for 18th, 30th, 40th, 50th and beyond.
Shop on AmazonWe may earn a small commission from purchases, at no extra cost to you.
Reviewed by the Who Shares My Birthday editorial team.
Last reviewed: October 2026