World
Gunther von Hagens, inventor of plastination, dies at 81
Gunther von Hagens, the German anatomist nicknamed "Doctor Death" and inventor of plastination, died on July 24, 2026 at age 81 following a prolonged and serious illness. His family and the Plastination Institute confirmed his passing. Von Hagens developed this body preservation technique in 1977 at Heidelberg University. His Body Worlds exhibitions have been visited by more than 58 million people worldwide. His own body will be plastinated, in accordance with his wishes.