The world has lost one of its most extraordinary voices for animals and the planet. Jane Goodall, the trailblazing primatologist, ethologist, and tireless advocate for wildlife conservation, passed away on October 1, 2025, at the age of 91. The Jane Goodall Institute confirmed that she died of natural causes while on a speaking tour in California—a fitting reflection of her lifelong mission to inspire action for the Earth until her very last days.
Goodall’s passing has sparked an outpouring of tributes from every corner of the globe. Scientists, world leaders, environmental activists, and ordinary people whose hearts were touched by her words all mourn her loss. Her death marks the end of an era, yet it also signals the enduring legacy of a woman who transformed humanity’s understanding of its connection to the natural world.
The Beginning of a Remarkable Journey
Jane Goodall’s story is legendary. In 1960, at only 26 years old, she left her home in England to embark on a groundbreaking expedition to the forests of Gombe Stream, in present-day Tanzania. At a time when women without formal degrees were rarely welcomed into scientific research, Jane’s curiosity, determination, and patience would break barriers and revolutionize primatology.
Immersing herself fully in the lives of wild chimpanzees, she observed them as complex beings with personalities, emotions, and intelligence. Her groundbreaking discovery that chimpanzees used tools—such as stripping leaves from sticks to fish termites—challenged the notion that tool use was uniquely human. This revelation reshaped science and culture alike.
Her decision to name the chimpanzees instead of assigning them numbers was revolutionary, highlighting their individuality. She documented their friendships, rivalries, tenderness, and grief, bridging the perceived divide between humans and other animals in a deeply humane way.
Building a Global Legacy
Jane’s dedication extended far beyond research. She earned a Ph.D. in ethology from Cambridge University, one of the few to do so without an undergraduate degree. But her greatest impact came through her advocacy. In 1977, she founded the Jane Goodall Institute, a global organization devoted to research, conservation, and education. Through the institute, she promoted not only the protection of chimpanzees but also sustainable coexistence between humans and nature.
In 1991, she launched Roots & Shoots, a youth program empowering young people to make positive changes for animals, people, and the environment. Today, Roots & Shoots operates in over 60 countries, inspiring hundreds of thousands of young activists to carry forward her mission.
A Tireless Advocate in Her Final Years
Even in her nineties, Jane never slowed down. She traveled extensively, delivering lectures, meeting students, and sharing her vision with the world. She believed in the transformative power of storytelling, and every speech she gave reminded audiences of their responsibility to protect the Earth.
Her final days reflected her life’s essence. In California, on a speaking tour, she continued to spread awareness and hope. The Jane Goodall Institute emphasized her lifelong urgency to act: “Jane never stopped believing in the possibility of change. She never stopped working to protect the natural world and to empower the next generation to build a better future.”
Tributes From Around the World
Heartfelt tributes poured in from every sector. Actor and environmental activist Leonardo DiCaprio called her “my hero” and encouraged his followers to honor her memory by supporting the Jane Goodall Institute. “Jane devoted her life to protecting our planet and giving a voice to wild animals,” he wrote. “Her groundbreaking research in Tanzania transformed our understanding of how our closest relatives live, socialize, and think. She inspired millions to care, act, and hope.”
Jane’s influence also reached the arts. She collaborated with DiCaprio on Howl, a forthcoming live-action film from the perspectives of a dog and a wolf, reflecting her belief that storytelling fosters empathy and compassion for all creatures.
Scientific and Cultural Impact
Jane Goodall’s research changed textbooks and our understanding of intelligence and culture in the animal kingdom. By documenting the emotional and social lives of chimpanzees, she helped dismantle the rigid boundaries separating humans from other animals. Her books, documentaries, and interviews brought science to the public, making her a cultural icon as well as a pioneering scientist.
The Human Side of a Legend
Despite worldwide recognition, Jane was known for her humility, warmth, and openness. She candidly shared personal challenges, such as living with prosopagnosia (face blindness), yet she connected deeply with people through her words and deeds. Her family—her son Hugo Eric Louis van Lawick and three grandchildren—remained a grounding force amidst her global influence.
The Enduring Message of Hope
Jane consistently encouraged optimism in the face of environmental crises. “Every individual matters. Every individual has a role to play. Every individual makes a difference,” she would remind the world. Her message of hope continues to guide conservationists and young activists worldwide, ensuring that her mission extends beyond her lifetime.
Continuing Her Vision
The Jane Goodall Institute, Roots & Shoots, and countless inspired individuals carry her vision forward. Every conservation effort, educational initiative, and act of kindness toward nature reflects her legacy. Her voice, though silenced, lives on in those who dare to dream of a more compassionate world.
A Life That Transcends Generations
Jane Goodall’s life was more than a scientific journey; it was a call to humanity. Her discoveries, her compassion, and her unwavering belief in the possibility of change continue to inspire all who care for the Earth. Her passing at 91 is a moment of reflection, gratitude, and renewed commitment to the values she championed.
New Paragraphs Inspired by Her Legacy:
Every forest Jane walked in now seems to whisper her name, a reminder that one life devoted to understanding and protecting nature can leave an eternal imprint.
Her work not only transformed primatology but also sparked a global conversation about empathy and moral responsibility toward all living beings.
Children who never met her in person grow up inspired by her books, her documentaries, and the enduring lessons of patience and observation she imparted.
Jane’s approach to science—gentle, observant, and profoundly respectful—offers a blueprint for future researchers seeking both rigor and humanity in their work.
Her insistence on naming each chimpanzee teaches us the power of seeing individuality, even in those who cannot speak our language.
Communities around the world, empowered by Roots & Shoots, carry the seeds of Jane’s vision, turning small acts of conservation into global change.
Each lecture she delivered was not only about facts and research but about inspiring courage, hope, and responsibility in every listener.
Jane’s optimism reminds us that even in the darkest environmental crises, action, compassion, and determination can yield tangible change.
Her collaborations with artists, filmmakers, and storytellers demonstrate that science and art together can awaken hearts and minds.
In every act of kindness toward animals, in every effort to preserve a forest or a species, Jane Goodall’s spirit continues to walk alongside us, guiding the way.