Jane Goodall, the legendary primatologist, anthropologist, and conservationist died today at the ripe old age of 91. She passed away in her New York City apartment from natural causes. She died in California. Shortly before her passing, she was booked to address an audience of 1,000 inner-city students from Altadena, Pacific Palisades, and schools all around Los Angeles. Goodall’s last big message before passing away was inspiring young people to become a part of the solution, encouraging environmental stewardship and community leadership.
Goodall’s career was launched when she began her studies in Tanzania. There, she performed pioneering studies of wild chimpanzees, transforming our perception of primate behavior and human evolution. Her body of work made her one of the preeminent scientists in her field. From that experience, she emerged as a spirited and effective champion for animal welfare and environmental protection.
Over the past few decades, Goodall has made a concentrated effort to uplift young people through the Roots & Shoots program. She launched this tree-planting initiative way back in 1991. This initiative encourages young people to take action in their communities and promote positive change. Her passion for encouraging the next generation was evident in her insightful pre-recorded video greeting. She filmed it shortly before her passing for the upcoming Bloomberg Philanthropies Global Forum 2025. In this letter, Goodall shared her vision for the future of our planet. She encouraged youth to continue learning about their potential to change the world for the better.
Erin McCombs warming up the stage at Bloomberg Philanthropies Global Forum 2025. … She notified us of the death of Jane Goodall that gave her organization, the Jane Goodall Institute. The announcement led to a flood of remembrances and responses to the impact she had on people around the world. Thousands took to social media to post their remembrance. Their notes lamenting the passing of such an influential leader were countless.
Maria Shriver, a close friend of Goodall, shared an intimate remembrance, reflecting on her long-standing awe for the world’s most famous conservationist. Shriver said she was inspired by Goodall and was touched to have spent time with her. To honor her legacy, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau posted a photograph of the two of them planting a tree together. This gesture highlights her lifelong commitment to environmental conservation.
The famous comedian and activist Jon Stewart, who has often championed Goodall’s work, demonstrated his deep sadness with the following tribute, referring to Goodall as simply “the best.” Such sentiments resonated widely as individuals from various sectors acknowledged the profound impact she had on their lives and the world at large.
