Why did I feel sad just because my mom felt sad that Princess Diana died, and then again when Paul Wellstone died? I had no clue who they were until my mother was so deeply distressed; does that mean that I’m an empathetic person?

Yes. And you are probably an empath as well (from a spirituality point – spirit like mind, body, spirit).

Empath’s feel the energy of others. They also feel the emotions, pains, etc. of others. And I suspect you are an empath.

Judith Orloff has a good book called “The Empath’s Survival Guide” which helps sensitive people to protect themselves and the like.

Reference: https://www.quora.com/Why-did-I-feel-sad-just-because-my-mom-felt-sad-that-Princess-Diana-died-and-then-again-when-Paul-Wellstone-died-I-had-no-clue-who-they-were-until-my-mother-was-so-deeply-distressed-does-that-mean-that-I-m-an