Jane Goodall Dies at 91 — A Legacy That Changed the World
Dr. Jane Goodall, the world-renowned primatologist, ethologist, and conservationist, passed away on October 1, 2025, at the age of 91. Her death marks the end of an era in wildlife research and environmental advocacy. Goodall died of natural causes while on a speaking tour in California, continuing her lifelong mission to inspire change until her final days.
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| Jane Goodall Dies at 91 |
Born Valerie Jane Morris-Goodall on April 3, 1934, in London, England, Jane Goodall developed a fascination with animals from a young age. Encouraged by her mother, she pursued her dream of working in Africa. In 1960, she began her groundbreaking study of chimpanzees in Tanzania’s Gombe Stream National Park under the mentorship of anthropologist Louis Leakey.Scientific Breakthroughs
Goodall’s observations revolutionized the scientific community. She discovered that chimpanzees use tools, express emotions, and form complex social relationships—traits previously believed to be exclusive to humans. Her work redefined the boundaries between humans and animals and laid the foundation for modern ethology.
In 1977, she founded the Jane Goodall Institute, which became a leading force in conservation and education. Her youth program, Roots & Shoots, empowered young people worldwide to take action for animals, people, and the environment. Goodall was also a United Nations Messenger of Peace and received numerous accolades, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2025.
Even in her nineties, Goodall remained active, traveling over 300 days a year to speak about environmental issues. Her final birthday celebration in March 2024 was marked by a heartwarming event in Carmel-by-the-Sea, where she was greeted by 90 dogs on the beach—a moment she described as heavenly.
She passed away peacefully in Los Angeles, surrounded by the legacy she built. Her final video message, played at a youth event in Pasadena, emphasized hope, ecological mindfulness, and the power of young people to change the world.
Tributes poured in from global leaders, scientists, and conservationists. The United Nations mourned her passing, calling her “a voice of conscience for humanity and nature.” Her son, Hugo Eric Louis van Lawick, and three grandchildren survive her, along with generations of activists inspired by her message: “Every individual can make a difference”.
Jane Goodall’s death is a profound loss, but her legacy lives on in the forests she protected, the minds she inspired, and the movements she ignited. Her life reminds us that compassion, curiosity, and courage can reshape the world.