Before her death on October 1, renowned primatologist Jane Goodall recorded a heartfelt farewell. In Netflix’s Famous Last Words, she shared how she wanted to be remembered—as someone who gave people hope when the world felt dark. The message, released on October 3, shows Goodall’s enduring passion for life, humanity, and the planet she loved.
According to USA Today, Jane Goodall’s final message centers on hope and perseverance. In the video, she said she wished to be remembered as “somebody sent to this world to try to give people hope in dark times.” Even in her final words, she encouraged others to fight apathy and never give up on the future.
The Meaning Behind Jane Goodall’s Final Message
Netflix recorded Jane Goodall’s final message earlier this year with plans to share it only after her passing. In the film, she spoke directly about humanity’s struggles and warned, “If people don’t have hope, we’re doomed.” Her words reflected the same spirit that guided her work—inspiring people to care deeply for nature and for one another.
Even when thinking about the world’s end, she urged courage. “Let’s fight to the very end,” she said, calling on people to keep believing in a better tomorrow. For Goodall, hope wasn’t wishful thinking; it was the power that fueled every discovery and every cause she championed.
A Lasting Legacy Of Compassion And Courage
Born in London in 1934, Goodall changed how the world viewed chimpanzees through her groundbreaking work in Tanzania. She founded the Jane Goodall Institute in 1977 and later launched the Roots & Shoots program in 1991 to inspire young people to protect animals and the environment. Over her lifetime, she earned many honors, including the U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2025.
Today, Jane Goodall’s final message stands as a reflection of her lifelong purpose. Her words continue to remind us that hope, courage, and compassion are stronger than despair. Even in her final moments, she left behind the same light she had always carried—a belief that no matter how dark the world becomes, there is still reason to fight for it.