Jane Goodall’s Peaceful Passing: Cause of Death Revealed After She Was Found Dead in Her Sleep
The world is mourning the loss of Dr. Jane Goodall, the legendary conservationist, ethologist, and humanitarian whose work forever changed our understanding of the natural world.
According to TMZ, Goodall’s cause of death has been revealed as cardiac arrest — also known as cardiopulmonary arrest — weeks after she was found dead in her sleep in Los Angeles. She was 91 years old.
The Jane Goodall Institute confirmed in an earlier statement that she passed peacefully and naturally on October 1 while on a speaking tour in California. Even in her final days, Goodall continued to inspire others, tirelessly advocating for the planet she loved.
“Dr. Goodall’s discoveries as an ethologist revolutionized science,” her institute said in a statement. “She was a tireless advocate for the protection and restoration of our natural world.”
Goodall is survived by her son, Hugo, and her three grandchildren.
A Life Dedicated to Compassion and Discovery
Jane Goodall’s remarkable journey began in the early 1960s in Tanzania’s Gombe Stream National Park, where she transformed the world’s understanding of chimpanzees.
Her groundbreaking research proved that these incredible creatures were capable of emotion, tool-making, and deep social bonds — forever changing the boundaries between humans and animals.
Over the decades, she became not only the world’s foremost expert on chimpanzees but also a powerful voice for environmental and wildlife conservation. Her message was simple yet profound: every individual can make a difference.
The Jane Goodall Institute reflected,
“Her life and work not only changed our understanding of chimpanzees and other species, but also deepened our understanding of humankind. She inspired curiosity, hope, and compassion in countless people around the globe.”
Working Until Her Final Night
Even in her nineties, Goodall refused to slow down. According to her longtime assistant Mary Lewis, she was working on a document until 10:30 p.m., just hours before she passed away.
“She was driven,” Lewis told PEOPLE. “She was beginning to feel finite, but she kept going — traveling around 300 days a year.”
Goodall had been scheduled to speak at UCLA on October 3 and attend a tree-planting ceremony in Pasadena on the day her death was announced. Her passion never faded, and she continued to use every opportunity to promote climate action, sustainability, and compassion.
Just days before her passing, she appeared at New York Climate Week and Forbes’ Sustainability Leadership Summit, where she urged the world to stay united in facing the climate crisis.
“We’ve got to get together,” she said. “Climate change is the greatest challenge of our time — it should be at the heart of everything we do.”
During a live interview for The Wall Street Journal’s podcast, released on September 26, she reminded listeners:
“Every day that we live, we make an impact on the planet. We can choose what kind of impact we make.”
A Legacy That Will Never Fade
Friend and spiritual leader Patrick McCollum shared that he was supposed to meet Goodall in Los Angeles just before her passing.
“She told me, ‘I really worry it’ll be our last drink together,’” McCollum recalled. “Sadly, she was right. She passed the night before we were to meet. I never got to say goodbye.”
For millions around the world, Jane Goodall’s passing feels deeply personal. Her courage, empathy, and relentless dedication to animals and nature continue to light the way for future generations.
Even in death, her message endures — one of kindness, hope, and action.
The era of Jane Goodall may have ended, but her spirit remains alive in every forest, every conservationist, and every heart she inspired. 🌍🕊️
