Don Bradman was called the "greatest living Australian" by Margaret Thatcher.
Sir Donald George `` Don '' Bradman , AC ( 27 August 1908 -- 25 February 2001 ) , often referred to as `` The Don '' , was an Australian cricketer , widely acknowledged as the greatest batsman of all time . Even after he became reclusive in his declining years his opinion was highly sought , and his status as a national icon was still recognised -- more than 50 years after his retirement as a Test player , in 2001 , Prime Minister John Howard of Australia called him the `` greatest living Australian '' .