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Kevin Carter

Kevin Carter was a South African photojournalist known for documenting conflict and famine, including work associated with the Bang-Bang Club.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Kevin Carter was a South African photojournalist who documented conflict and famine, particularly in southern Africa. He is best known for his Pulitzer Prize-winning photograph *The Vulture and the Little Girl*, taken during the 1993 Sudan famine. Carter died by suicide in July 1994 at age 33.

Early life and career

Kevin Carter was born in Johannesburg, South Africa, on 13 September 1960. He worked as a photojournalist in South Africa, covering political violence and other difficult assignments in the region. He later became a member of the Bang-Bang Club, a group of photographers known for documenting violence during the end of apartheid.

The Sudan famine photograph

In 1993, while on assignment in Sudan, Carter photographed a starving child with a vulture nearby. The image, often titled *The Vulture and the Little Girl*, was widely published and is among the most discussed photographs in modern photojournalism.

Pulitzer Prize and public debate

Carter received the 1994 Pulitzer Prize for Feature Photography for the Sudan image. The photograph also drew public debate about the ethics and responsibilities of photojournalists, particularly regarding whether to intervene or document.

Death and legacy

Carter died by suicide in Johannesburg in July 1994, less than four months after receiving the Pulitzer Prize. Authorities reported carbon monoxide poisoning. He remains a notable figure in photojournalism for both his award-winning work and the controversies surrounding it.

Key facts

  • Kevin Carter was a South African photojournalist who covered conflict and social unrest in southern Africa.
  • He was a member of the Bang-Bang Club, a group of photographers known for documenting violence in South Africa.
  • His best-known image, *The Vulture and the Little Girl*, was taken in Sudan in 1993.
  • The photograph won the 1994 Pulitzer Prize for Feature Photography.
  • Carter died by suicide in Johannesburg in July 1994 at age 33.

Frequently asked questions

Who was Kevin Carter?
Kevin Carter was a South African photojournalist known for conflict and famine photography, especially his Pulitzer-winning Sudan image.
What is Kevin Carter famous for?
He is best known for *The Vulture and the Little Girl*, a 1993 photograph from Sudan that won the 1994 Pulitzer Prize for Feature Photography.
Was Kevin Carter part of the Bang-Bang Club?
Yes. He was a member of the Bang-Bang Club, a group of South African photographers who documented violence during the end of apartheid.
How did Kevin Carter die?
He died by suicide in Johannesburg in July 1994, with authorities reporting carbon monoxide poisoning.
Why was his Sudan photograph controversial?
The image prompted debate about whether a photojournalist’s duty is to document events or intervene when subjects are in danger.

References

  1. Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kevin_Carter
    Supports: Birth/death dates, nationality, occupation, Bang-Bang Club membership, Pulitzer Prize, and death by suicide.
  2. The New York Timeshttps://www.nytimes.com/1994/07/29/world/kevin-carter-a-pulitzer-winner-for-sudan-photo-is-dead-at-33.html
    Supports: Career background, Pulitzer-winning Sudan photograph, and death details.
  3. Los Angeles Timeshttps://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-07-30-mn-21435-story.html
    Supports: Career summary, Pulitzer Prize, and death by carbon monoxide poisoning.
  4. The Independenthttps://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/obituary-kevin-carter-1380732.html
    Supports: Birth and death dates, South African photojournalist identity, and death circumstances.