What are Some Noteworthy Last Words from Famous People?

The final words spoken by famous people before their deaths have often become folklore, offering a final glimpse into their thoughts and personalities. These last words, whether profound, humorous, or defiant, can reveal much about the individual’s life and the times in which they lived.

The Poetic and Profound

Emily Dickinson

"I must go in for the fog is rising."

This enigmatic farewell, spoken by the reclusive poet Emily Dickinson, captures the ethereal and mysterious essence of her life and work. Dickinson, who was known for her introspective musings and her poetry that often blurred the lines between reality and fantasy, chose a line that perfectly personifies her poetic sensibilities.

Leonardo da Vinci

"I have offended God and mankind because my work did not reach the quality it should have."

Leonardo da Vinci, a consummate artist and inventor, left the world with a thought that is both humble and profound. Despite painting one of the most famous faces in history, the Mona Lisa, he was still dissatisfied. This self-criticism speaks to the enduring nature of his genius and the perpetual striving for perfection that characterized his life.

Oscar Wilde

"Either that wallpaper goes or I do."

Oscar Wilde’s final words, spoken in a cheap hotel room, are a testament to his sharp wit and the ironic experiences he encountered even in his last moments. Wilde, a legendary wit and socialite, ended his life in a hotel that did not meet his high standards, leading to this humorous yet haunting remark.

Groucho Marx

"This is no way to live!"

Even as he lay on his deathbed, Groucho Marx maintained his characteristic humor. This memorable last word underscores his lifelong love of comedy and his ability to see the absurdity in even the most dire of situations.

Beethoven

"Friends applaud. The comedy is over."

Anticipating the end of his life, Ludwig van Beethoven summed up his dramatic and often tumultuous existence with a line that captures both the highs and the lows of his career. This poignant statement reflects his understanding of the futility of the struggle against fate and the recognition that his creative journey was now at an end.

Steve Jobs

"Oh wow. Oh wow. Oh wow."

With a simplicity and enigma that was true to his character, Steve Jobs left the world with a series of sounds rather than words. This mysterious farewell was befitting of a man who spent his life bringing awe and wonder to technology. Jobs’s final moments echo his legacy of innovation and the enduring sense of wonder he inspired in his followers.

Funny and Unexpected

Lady Nancy Astor

"Am I dying or is this my birthday?"

Lady Nancy Astor, the first woman to sit in the British Parliament, made a final joke when she woke up to find herself surrounded by her family. Her humor and wit are a testament to her personality, even in her final moments. This lighthearted remark offers a glimpse into her complex personality and her ability to find moments of levity even in potentially distressing situations.

James French

"Hey fellas! How about this for a headline for tomorrow’s paper 'French Fries!'"

Sentenced to the electric chair, James French managed to add a touch of humor to his final moments, joking that he would become the headline of a future news story about French fries instead of his own death. This unexpected and witty remark highlights his ability to shift the focus away from his fate and onto something more mundane, a reflection of his resilient and comedic spirit.

Dominique Bouhours

"I am about to— or I am going to— die. Either expression is correct."

Ever the language scholar, Dominique Bouhours used his final breath to make a point about the nuances of language. His last words demonstrate a life dedicated to the study of grammar and syntax, even in his final moments.

Defiant and Stoic

Marie Antoinette and George

Marie Antoinette

Years ago, a friend shared with me the suicide note of a childhood friend. The note revealed a complex personality, filled with intellectual curiosity and a severe level of isolation. The final lines of this note stand as a stark reminder of the human condition and the struggle to be understood.

The note was filled with apologies to his parents, written in a way that made it clear he felt he did not deserve their love. Despite the complexity and emotional depth of the note, the handwriting was that of a different person, someone very intelligent and capable, but lonely to the point that he wandered for days in the Sierra Madre, a remote area near Los Angeles, before taking his own life. His choice of the Ruger RedHawk, a powerful and heavy weapon, reveals a resolve to end the suffering that had consumed his life.

The central message of the note is a poignant reflection of the struggle between self-expression and solipsism. It states, "At one point I had dreamed of writing an opera, or a novel, or at least a poem to explain my condition, but it was my very condition that destroyed the energy that would have been necessary to express it."

George

Similarly, the act of hanging oneself, as done by George and a writer in Hakone, was not simply an act of despair but a carefully considered choice. These individuals chose to leave minimal evidence of their death, indicating a desire to be forgotten rather than remembered with scorn. Their journeys to these remote locations reveal a deep hope for anonymity, a wish to escape the judgment of others.

In both cases, these last acts reveal a deep yearning for communication, a desire to be heard, and the resigned acceptance of the futility of that longing. They stand as a haunting testament to the human need to express oneself, even in the face of overwhelming silence and isolation.