Jimmy Cliff, Jamaican music and film star, dies at 81CEFR A1
25 Nov 2025
Adapted from Emma Lewis, Global Voices • CC BY 3.0
Photo by Royce Fonseca, Unsplash
- Jimmy Cliff died on November 24, 2025.
- He was 81 years old.
- His wife Latifa spoke on social media.
- She said he had a seizure first.
- She said he then died of pneumonia.
- He was born James Chambers in 1944.
- He moved to Kingston at age 14.
- He had a hit song at 17, "Hurricane Hattie".
- He starred in the 1972 film The Harder They Come.
Difficult words
- singer — A person who makes music with their voice.
- famous — Well-known and liked by many people.
- music — Sounds organized in a way that people enjoy.
- social media — Websites to share information and connect with others.
- supported — Helped someone or something.
- pneumonia — A serious illness that affects the lungs.
- star — A very famous person in entertainment.
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- What do you think about Jimmy Cliff's music?
- Why do you think his music was loved by many?
- Do you use social media to share news? Why or why not?
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