Liu Xiaobo

Date of Birth: December 28, 1955

Zodiac Sign: Capricorn

Date of Death: July 13, 2017

Biography

Liu Xiaobo was a Chinese literary critic, writer, professor, and human rights activist who was an outspoken critic of the Chinese government. He was born in Changchun, Jilin, China, and became widely known for his involvement in the pro-democracy movement. Liu was a prolific writer, producing numerous essays and works that critiqued the Chinese government’s policies and advocated for political reform and human rights. His activism led him to participate in the Tiananmen Square protests in 1989, for which he was subsequently imprisoned. In 2008, Liu was one of the primary drafters of Charter 08, a manifesto calling for political liberalization in China. This act led to his arrest and subsequent imprisonment for “inciting subversion of state power.” Despite international calls for his release, Liu remained in prison until his death. In 2010, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in absentia, making him the second Nobel laureate to have received the award while in prison. Liu Xiaobo’s legacy continues to inspire human rights activists around the world.

5 Interesting Facts about Liu Xiaobo

1. Liu Xiaobo was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2010 while serving an 11-year prison sentence.

2. He was a literary critic and held a Ph.D. in literature from Beijing Normal University.

3. Liu Xiaobo was a key figure in drafting Charter 08, a pro-democracy manifesto calling for political reform in China.

4. He was involved in the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests and was subsequently imprisoned for his participation.

5. Liu Xiaobo’s death in 2017 from liver cancer occurred while he was still in custody, making him the first Nobel laureate to die in detention since Carl von Ossietzky in 1938.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Liu Xiaobo

1. “I have no enemies and no hatred.”

2. “The greatness of non-violent resistance lies in its ability to create new forms of struggle.”

3. “Freedom of expression is the foundation of human rights, the source of humanity, and the mother of truth.”

4. “The Chinese people, who have endured human rights disasters and uncountable struggles, now see the possibility of a future free from oppression.”

5. “I hope that I will be the last victim in China’s long record of treating words as crimes.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Liu Xiaobo did not accumulate significant wealth during his lifetime. His highest net worth was not publicly documented, but his focus was on activism and literary work rather than financial gain.