German anatomist Gunther von Hagens, famed for his controversial “Body Worlds” exhibitions, has died at the age of 81. The exhibitions featured dissected human and animal bodies, preserved through his pioneering plastination technique. Von Hagens, sometimes nicknamed “Doctor Death,” gained worldwide recognition for this process, which replaces bodily fluids with polymers, allowing for the preservation and display of anatomical specimens. His work sparked both fascination and ethical debate regarding the display of human remains. The family announced his passing, but details surrounding the cause of death were not immediately released. Von Hagens’ plastination technique revolutionized anatomical study and public understanding of the human body. His legacy continues through the ongoing “Body Worlds” exhibits globally.