Steve Fossett 1944-2007

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Jim Sugar / WorldPictureNews

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'I'm not an adrenaline junkie. I don't get a thrill out of taking risks. I do this because I like challenging myself and stretching the boundaries of science.'

Fossett amassed 115 world records, circling the globe by boat, balloon and plane before disappearing while flying a single-engine plane over Nevada.

View the full list for "Person of the Year 2007"

Next: Robert Goulet 1933-2007 >>

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Hu Jintao

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David Petraeus

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People Who Mattered

The defiant monks of Burma became an online sensation. Rupert Murdoch got the newspaper of his dreams. Barry Bonds broke a historic record, while Britney Spears just broke down. Read about them and others who left their mark on 2007

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In Tribute

Evel Knievel, Norman Mailer, Lady Bird Johnson, Max Roach, Ingmar Bergman, Beverly Sills, Yolanda King, Robert Goulet, Phil Rizzuto and many others left us—but not before making a distinct impression

Video

TIME's Interview with Vladimir Putin

At his dacha outside Moscow, the Russian President spoke candidly about corruption, religion and how he thinks the war in Iraq should end

Person of the Year 2007

Fond Farewell