As Benjamin Franklin once put it, “nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” There’s no question that where there is life, there must also be death. Death is so inescapable that not even the world’s most influential men and women were able to avoid it. And just like you only get one shot at living, you also only get one chance of saying your final words.
Today, we’ll take a look at the last words of some of the world’s most prominent, talented, and influential personalities. And while there are blows of pure geniality in our list, most of these final words serve only to show us the most humane and fragile side of those who have lived to change the world forever.
Winston Churchill
During World War II, Winston Churchill was one of the most prominent symbols of the resistance of the Allies against the III Reich, even coining the motto “we shall never surrender.” His strong leadership during the conflict has made him one of the most influential and popular politicians in the history of the United Kingdom.
But besides being a notable leader, Churchill was also a remarkable public speaker, who left us some of the most memorable, sarcastic, and insightful quotes ever recorded. Strangely enough, his final words don’t have the same kind of charm that can be found in his beautiful speeches. He simply said, “I’m bored with it all.” Maybe honesty is its own kind of greatness.
James Brown
There are a lot of contexts for dying. Sometimes, you don’t know it’s coming. On other occasions, you try to fight it with all you’ve got. And in James Brown’s case, you simply embrace it when the right moment comes.
Christmas night, 2006: a fragile James Brown was on his death bed with pneumonia. Right next to him was Charles Bobbit, a long-time music partner, and friend. Stuttering, Brown said, “I’m going away tonight.” Moments later, he fell asleep never to wake up again. He will always be remembered as one of the greatest showmen of all-time, who put his heart and soul in every song, dance move, and live performance.
Frank Sinatra
On May 14th, 1998, one of the most inspiring artists of the 20th century died at the age of 82. Frank Sinatra wasn’t able to survive a heart attack and shared his final words with his fourth and last wife, the model/socialite Barbara Marx. “I’m losing,” said ‘The Voice,’ moments before disappearing from this world.
Sinatra left behind an uncanny legacy of terrific records and unforgettable songs. He was a once-in-an-era artist, but his final words have shown that even the best among men meet the same tragic fate in the end.
Walt Disney
Yes, Walt Disney was the man behind a cartoon empire. But he was so much more than that. A case could be made that, through his movies, Disney has designed the frame in which the core values of the American society rely upon, even today. A figure of legendary status, Disney’s final words are, as expected, wrapped in controversy.
According to an urban myth, Disney’s final words were, “Kurt Russell”? The legend, widespread by Russell himself, has its share of truth. It related to a note found on Disney’s office, in which the late animator had written a couple of words, including a misspelled version of Russell’s name: “Kirt Russell.” The rest of the note included the names “Ron Miller,” “Way Down Cellar,” and “CIA-Mobley.”
Oscar Wilde
The wittiest of all the writers, Oscar Wilde, never really overcame the fact that he was imprisoned three years before his death. His “crime”? ‘Gross indecency with men,’ a bizarre phrase that was unfortunately applied to many great men in the past.
While on his death bed and suffering from acute meningitis, Wilde must have crafted yet another great quote for history. After all, his final words were, “This wallpaper and I are fighting a duel to the death. Either it goes, or I do.” Sadly, the wallpaper was the one that stayed, but Wilde’s unique spirit and great literary work are still considered to be highly influential today.
Johnny Ace
His name was Johnny Ace, but luck wasn’t so kind to him in the end. During the mid-’50s, he was playing the cards he had been dealt with, and life was going great. The musician was touring the country and even had a couple of highly-successful R&B singles in the bag.
But one night, he drank too much and was playing with a gun backstage. Showing off to his bandmates, he said, “It’s Okay! Gun’s not Loaded... See?” and pointed the gun to his head. The bluff never worked out. Ace ended up accidentally killing himself with a shot to the head, in what remains one of the most unbelievable rock 'n roll deaths of all-time.
Coco Chanel
The French fashion designer Coco Chanel spent her life trying to define what’s luxury and what’s not. And if you’ve ever heard of Chanel, the brand, you already know she achieved that goal in the most remarkable ways.
As for her final words, Chanel was as charming as always, even on her death bed. Stranded in a luxurious Ritz Hotel bedroom, she said to her friend Claude Baillen “You see, this is how you die.” It was the final statement of a woman who changed the fashion world forever and who did not only know how to live with style but also how to die with it.
Karl Marx
Known as the thinker who brought the idea of economic materialism into the way-too metaphysical world of 19th-century philosophy, Karl Marx was undoubtedly a no-nonsense kind of guy. And his final words, just like his beard, belonged to a man utterly devoid of superstition.
“Last words are for fools who haven’t said enough!” shouted Marx moments before his death in 1883. You could say it’s a quote that lacks poetry, but you cannot accuse Marx of being incoherent. Sadly, Marx’s deep and influential thoughts on the subjects of history, economics, and political science were misappropriated by numerous devious leaders during the 20th century.
Malcolm X
In the ever-lasting fight against racism, few men were as important as the late African American minister Malcolm X. The human rights activist met a sad end in 1965, at the young age of 39, after being brutally murdered by a rival extremist group.
His final words were reported in the newspapers at the time and work as an elucidative statement of Malcolm’s resilient mind and calm spirit. He appealed to his attackers by saying, “Now, now, brothers, break it up. Be cool, be calm”. Unfortunately, they didn’t listen to him.
Ernest Hemingway
The great American writer Ernest Hemingway always lived life to the limit. And after decades of adventures and great books, Hemingway’s alcohol addiction took the best out of him. By the time he was 61, Hemingway was a confused and delusional man, consumed by paranoia and disease.
In a fatal summer night in 1961, one of the best writers in the history of American literature grabbed his favorite shotgun and took his own life. His wife was beside him, and his final words were meant for her and her only: “Goodnight, my kitten,” said Hemingway before parting forever.
John F. Kennedy
The irony of John F. Kennedy’s final words will never be lost. While visiting the city of Dallas, Texas, a friend said to him, “You cannot say that Dallas hasn’t given you a nice welcome.” JFK simply replied, “No, you certainly can’t.” Moments later, he was shockingly assassinated by the former U.S. Marine Lee Harvey Oswald.
JFK’s final words have served as yet more “evidence” in the case of multiple conspiracy theories that claim that the death of the former president was politically-influenced, and not solely the effect of the actions of a single man.
Marie Antoinette
Marie Antoinette was the last queen of France. She was also known for being a big spender in a country that was dying out of hunger. It’s no wonder that her reign ended with the French Revolution and was followed by a death sentence.
But even in her last moments alive, Antoinette was a high-class lady. She was ready to be beheaded on the guillotine when she accidentally stepped on the boot of her executioner. Her final words? “I am sorry sir, I did not mean to put it there” She died moments later, on October 16th, 1793. She was 37 years old.
Leonardo Da Vinci
A once-in-a-generation artist, a notable thinker, and an unbelievably creative inventor, Da Vinci is often deemed as the best human among humans. But the Italian genius was not so kind about his own body of work and felt like his life was kind of disappointing.
His final words were something like “I have offended God and mankind because my work did not reach the quality it should have” (there are multiple slightly different versions), which seems like blasphemy coming from a man like Da Vinci. We guess humbleness was yet another one of his great qualities.
Amy Winehouse
During most of her highly-successful musical career, Amy Winehouse acted almost as though she was looking forward to dying. Her self-destructive behavior was well-known and depicted in many of her live performances, in which a noticeably intoxicated Winehouse failed to sing properly or even stand on her own feet sometimes.
But in her heart, Winehouse wanted to survive. Maybe all of her bad choices in life were nothing but a cry for help. After all, her final words were, “I don’t want to die.” Unfortunately, her final wish was never granted.
Sigmund Freud
While not all sources agree when it comes to Sigmund Freud’s final words, one thing’s clear: the influential psychoanalyst was finding it hard to make sense out of dying. The Austrian neurologist/philosopher committed suicide at the age of 83, with the assistance of a friend and a megadose of morphine.
Most sources claim his final words were “This is absurd,” but some insist the psychoanalyst parted by saying, “Now it is nothing but torture and makes no sense anymore.” Either way, Freud seemed to have come to terms with the chaotic nature of human existence, which daunts both our conscious and unconscious minds.
Joe DiMaggio
You don’t need to be a die-hard romantic to be touched by Joe DiMaggio’s final words. The outstanding former baseball player said, “I’ll finally get to see Marilyn” moments before dying, in reference to his late wife, Marilyn Monroe. The latter passed away, tragically at the age of 36.
Joe DiMaggio and Marilyn Monroe were married for only nine months, but there’s no doubt the brief love story stuck with the baseball great. In his heart, he was still in love with the iconic actress/singer, over 30 years after her precocious death.
Heath Ledger
The preparation for the role of Joker was what made Heath Ledger’s performance in The Dark Knight such a memorable one. But playing the demented villain weighed heavily on the actor’s mental health. Finding it troubling to sleep, he decided to mix his prescription medication with some sleeping tablets.
His final words were spoken to his sister Katie, over the phone. “Katie, Katie, I’m fine. I know what I’m doing”, he said. However, Ledger didn’t survive past that night and was found dead at the age of 28. Six different drugs were identified in his system.
Bing Crosby
How much of a golf fanatic can a man be? Well, you’d have to ask Bing Crosby. The American singer, comedian, and actor died at the age of 74 after an 18-hole round of golf in Spain. And he must’ve died happy since reportedly, his final words were, “That was a great game of golf, fellas.”
But if life is the greatest game of all, Crosby was a hell of a player. His singing style and body of work have influenced the work of personalities such as Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, and John Lennon.
Salvador Dali
The Spanish painter Salvador Dali was known for his unmistakable charisma, surrealistic paintings, and quirky mustache. He passed away at the age of 84, from heart failure, and his final words can be associated with many of his best-known paintings: “Where is my clock?” he asked.
It’s an enigmatic question since it comes from someone who was literally running out of time and who painted multiple melting clocks during his lifetime. To this day, Dali is still recognized as the ultimate embodiment of the “crazy genius” artist, who was as stylish in the way he behaved as he was in his work.
Amelia Earhart
In 1897, when Amelia Earhart was born, many still doubted women could be as brave, talented, and successful as men. But Earhart worked hard to prove everybody wrong. An aviation pioneer, she became the first female aviator to cross the Atlantic Ocean.
In 1937, she attempted something even more significant: a circumnavigation flight. Unfortunately, Earhart disappeared somewhere in the Pacific Ocean, never completing the ambitious journey. Sources report her final words before parting as, “Please know that I am aware of the hazards. Women must try and do things as men have tried. When they fail, their failure must be a challenge to others”.
Whitney Houston
“I’m going to go and see Jesus.” It would be hard to guess, but apparently these were the final words of Whitney Houston, a once-in-a-generation singer who paved the way for black women in pop culture and who passed away in 2011 at the young age of 48.
Considered to be the most prized recording artist of all-time, Houston’s career was filled with major successes, fueled by her remarkable vocal range and inspiring ballads. But in her private life, Houston, like many of the rockstars of the past, struggled with drug abuse and addiction.
Frida Kahlo
The Mexican painter Frida Kahlo lived a wild and successful life, but she was taunted by disease and physical pain ever since she was involved in an accident as a young girl. One of the ultimate symbols of Mexican culture, she passed away at the age of 47, the result of a pulmonary embolism.
Her final words were written in her bedside journal and seemed to portray a woman on the brink of despair. “I hope the exit is joyful and hope to never come back” was her last entry. We hope Kahlo was able to find in death the ease and comfort she was always denied in life.
Lucky Luciano
Charlie “Lucky” Luciano may not be as famous as Al Capone, but he’s considered to be the father of modern organized crime. A true mafioso, he excelled and became rich in the United States, even though he was born in Sicily and died in Naples at the age of 64.
Shortly before dying from a heart attack, Luciano met the American movie producer Martin Gosch. His last words were to him were, “Tell Georgie I want to get in the movies one way or another.” Luciano never lived to see it, but he did make it to the movies. He was played in the big and small screens by actors such as Vincent Piazza, Christian Slater, Andy García, and Stanley Tucci.
Buddy Rich
Drummers are considered to be discreet and humble people. But Buddy Rich was not your regular drummer. You can still check his out-of-this-world drum solos on YouTube, which will make you gasp even if you don’t like jazz music.
In the late ’80s, ate the age of 69, Rich was preparing to die in the hospital when a nurse asked him if there was something he couldn’t take (referring to medicine). His amusing answer was forever recorded as his final words: “Country music.” There are a lot of jazz haters out there, but country music is many musician’s least favorite genre.
Nostradamus
Immortalized as history’s most significant predictor, Nostradamus’s final words may not surprise you. The man whose poems envisioned the world’s future declared that “tomorrow, at sunrise, I will be here no more.” As usual, he was right.
Nostradamus’s cryptic poems have a myth-like quality to them, and many of his followers believe he accurately predicted events such as 9/11, World War II, and even the current global pandemic. If all of this happened by sheer coincidence or pure magic, it’s hard to say. But Nostradamus’s place in history as a man of great vision remains undisputed.
Princess Diana
She was the people’s princess, and she was rapidly becoming a major political influencer. But in 1997, a fatal car crash led to her death, much to the desperation of her followers. As the world gasped with horror, Princess Diana’s last words serve to show that she was as shocked and surprised as the rest of us.
According to the paramedics who treated her, she asked, “My God, what’s happened?” right before entering into cardiac arrest. Before the paramedics shared their side of the story, the last words of Princess Diana were believed to be, “Oh my God, leave me alone,” a reference to the paparazzi who relentlessly followed her around.
Elvis Presley
Even ‘The King’ needs to go to the toilet sometimes, and Elvis Presley was not so lucky when it came to dying. Found dead in his bathroom, where he suffered a heart attack, Presley was reading a book called “The Scientific Search for the Face of Jesus” before meeting his tragic fate, at the young age of 42.
His final words were as surprising and undignified as his unusual end. “Going to the bathroom to read,” he said before closing the door for one last time. Since kings can never truly die, Elvis’s influence is still felt today.
John Wayne
You can’t spell ‘America’ without ‘John Wayne.’ Well, technically you can, but it shouldn’t be possible. The great American actor was responsible for popularizing the figure of the Western hero and remains one of the U.S.’s most influential personalities.
His final words were spoken to his daughter and were just perfect. “Of course, I know who you are. You’re my girl; I love you”, said Wayne moments before losing the battle to lung cancer. John Wayne, whose real name was Marion Michael Morrison, died in 1979 at the age of 72, leaving behind an unmistakable legacy in the movies.
George Harrison
The most esoteric and mysterious of The Beatles, George Harrison passed away in 2001, at the age of 58. His last words were reportedly spoken to his bandmate Ringo Starr and couldn’t be more representative of his life’s work: “Love one another,” said the composer behind songs such as “Something” and “Blue Jay Way.”
Throughout the 1960s, The Beatles were the ultimate symbol of the peace and love movement, with many of their best songs exploring the themes of peace, romantic love, and cooperation. Still alive today, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr have continued to release new records as solo artists.