Dies ist eine Liste der bedeutendsten Persönlichkeiten, die 1997 verstorben sind. Für eine ausführlichere Liste siehe Nekrolog 1997. Januar. 0 1. Januar: Aenne Brauksiepe, deutsche Politikerin (* 1912) 0 9. Januar: Nils Ahrbom, schwedischer Architekt (* 1905) 0 9.

The 1997 race utilized the traditional three week / four weekend schedule that had been in use since the mid-1970s. Practice started on the Saturday 22 days prior to the race, and four days of time trials were utilized. With changes to the schedule in subsequent years, 1997 would be the final year that used the 23-day month of May schedule.