5 World Figures Who Experienced Comas: From Soeharto to Fidel Castro

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A coma is a critical medical condition that causes a person to lose consciousness for an extended time. Many world figures have experienced coma, either due to serious illness, accidents, or medical complications.

When a head of state or an important political figure experiences coma, the impact can extend into the realms of politics, the economy, and national security. Here are five important figures who have experienced coma, with their background and significant impact on their respective countries.

5 Figures Who Have Experienced Coma

1. President Soeharto (Indonesia)

Former President Soeharto, who led Indonesia for more than three decades, experienced a very critical medical condition towards the end of his life. In early January 2008, he was intensively treated at Pertamina Central Hospital (RSPP) in Jakarta due to disorders in several vital organs, including the heart, kidneys, and lungs.

His condition deteriorated rapidly and at one point, he no longer responded normally, being in a state described by doctors as semi-coma to full coma.

Soeharto received massive medical support, and even domestic political attention was divided between supporters of granting medical clemency and those demanding legal clarity regarding past cases. He passed away on January 27, 2008, at the age of 86. His departure marked the end of one of the most influential (and controversial) figures in modern Indonesian history.

2. Ariel Sharon (Prime Minister of Israel)

As reported by The Guardian, Ariel Sharon was one of the most influential military and political figures in Israel's history. In January 2006, while still serving as Prime Minister, Sharon suffered a severe stroke and was immediately taken to the hospital for emergency brain surgery. After the operation, Sharon fell into a vegetative coma that lasted for over eight years.

During the coma, Sharon showed no signs of consciousness, and the Israeli government officially appointed Ehud Olmert as his successor. Sharon's absence while still in office created a sensitive leadership vacuum, considering that he was dealing with critical issues such as the conflict with Palestine. Ariel Sharon passed away in January 2014.

3. Michael Schumacher (F1 Legend)

Although not a politician, Michael Schumacher is a highly influential public figure who is close with the European elite, including German leaders and senior EU officials.

In December 2013, Schumacher had an accident while skiing in the Alps, France. He hit his head on a rock and suffered serious brain injury, even though he was wearing a helmet.

Schumacher was immediately taken to the hospital and underwent several cranial surgeries. He was then declared to be in a coma that lasted until mid-2014. His family has been very secretive about his actual condition, and to this day, Schumacher has never been seen in public. Many believe he is still in a paralyzed condition and requires total care.

4. Yasser Arafat (President of the Palestinian Authority)

Yasser Arafat was an influential leader of the Palestinian people's struggle. In October 2004, he suddenly fell ill at his headquarters in Ramallah and was flown to Paris for intensive treatment at a military hospital.

According to The Guardian, after undergoing treatment for several days, he was reported to have fallen into a coma. Some sources mentioned that Arafat suffered from a blood disorder and organ failure, while conspiracy theories mentioned the possibility of poisoning.

Arafat's coma created high tension in the Arab world as there was no clear successor at that time. He passed away on November 11, 2004, and to this day, the exact cause is still a subject of debate. Arafat's death became a turning point in the Israel-Palestine peace process.

5. Fidel Castro (President of Cuba)

Fidel Castro has led Cuba since 1959, when he came to power through an armed revolution. He gradually handed over power to his brother, Raul Castro, in the mid-2000s.

As mentioned in Newyorker, in July 2006, Fidel suffered severe large intestine bleeding and had to undergo emergency surgery. At that time, international media widely reported that he was in a coma, although the Cuban government never officially confirmed it.

His health condition remained a mystery for several months, until Castro finally appeared weakened on national television at the end of 2006. He survived until 2016, but full power was never returned to him. Speculation about Castro's coma and various chronic illnesses continued until the end of his life.

Novita Andrian contributed to the writing of this article

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