Winnie Madikizela-Mandela (1946-2018) was an activist and social worker who led a key role in the fight against apartheid in South Africa. She was Nelson Mandela’s wife and supported him through his 27 years in prison. She was called the "Mother of the Nation” by her supporters, though later in life her legacy was marred by controversy.

Revolutionaries: Winnie Madikizela-Mandela

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Rose Valland (1898-1980) was an art historian and curator based in Paris during the Nazi occupation. She hid in plain sight as a secretary, documenting the shipments of artistic masterpieces out of France, and is responsible for the discovery and protection of over 60,000 pieces of looted artwork.

Disappearing Acts: Rose Valland

Sugawara no Takasue no musume (1008-approx. 1059), or Takasue’s daughter, was the author of “Sarashina Nikki,” or “Sarashina Diary,” a well-known book providing an in-depth look at life during Japan’s Heian period. While the book remains prolific and relevant even today, we don’t know the author's name.

Disappearing Acts: Takasue’s Daughter

Anastasia Romanov (1901-1918) was the youngest daughter of Tsar Nicholas II, the last Tsar of Russia. Her death was hotly debated for years, as she was believed to have survived her family’s execution.

Disappearing Acts: Anastasia Romanov

Marguerite de la Rocque (c. 1542) was meant to disappear. That’s what her older relative, Sieur de Roberval, intended to happen when he marooned Marguerite on an uninhabited Canadian island. But against all odds, she survived instead.

Disappearing Acts: Marguerite de la Rocque

Barbara Newhall Follet (1914-unknown) was an American child prodigy novelist. She published two books before she was a teenager and wrote poetry as well. When she was in her twenties, she left her house after fighting with her husband and was never seen again.

Revolutionaries: Winnie Madikizela-Mandela

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