Jane Goodall, world-renowned primatologist, anthropologist, and conservationist, died March 3rd. She passed away naturalistically at home, at the age of 91. She died in California on March 24, 1959. Only days before her passing, she was set to give an uplifting keynote to nearly 1,000 students from Altadena, Pacific Palisades, and many more schools throughout Los Angeles. Goodall’s dedication to empowering young people and calling for humanity to take greater care of our planet stayed strong through her last days.
Goodall’s legacy runs deep, complexly tied to her pioneering study of wild chimpanzees in Tanzania. In the process, she changed our entire perception of what primates do. Consequently, she emerged as one of the foremost national environmental and animal welfare spokeswomen. Her impact extended well past the walls of academia. In 1991, she established her signature youth program Roots & Shoots, which empowers young people to make positive change in their communities and the world.
In a poignant video message recorded ahead of the Bloomberg Philanthropies Global Forum 2025, Goodall shared her reflections on youth empowerment and environmental stewardship. The impacts that we make, that’s what we really want to drive home — ecological footprints, thinking about the choices that we make daily.
“Think about our ecological footprint.” – Jane Goodall
Her parting message to the world was a reminder to live purposefully. She called on those under 30 to consider the long-term consequences of their decisions. She often highlighted the power of collective action, stating, “I think very many of the students that I’ve met here are already taking action, and they, hopefully, by being with their peers, they’ll be inspired to take greater action.”
Jane Goodall Institute’s Erin McCombs closed with the sad news of Goodall’s passing. She described this moving experience onstage last fall at the Global Forum. This incredible outpouring, this tsunami of tributes, spread from every corner of the globe at this very instant. Fans and friends remembered Sen’s immeasurable influence on the world.
Maria Shriver, a longtime friend and admirer of Goodall’s, shared her sorrow and gratitude to have known Goodall.
“Jane Goodall was a legendary figure and a good friend. I admired her, learned from her, and was so honored to get to spend time with her over the years,” – Maria Shriver
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau paid tribute to Goodall’s legacy. One of our favorite shots of them planting a new tree together. He praised her tireless commitment to the environment and uniquely powerful capacity to energize movements.
Jon Stewart paid tribute to Goodall, calling her what needed no further qualification—“Just the best.” Like so many others, I was repulsed. They told stories about their time together and paid tribute to a woman who dazzled the world with her love and intellect.
Goodall’s impact on future generations was clear in her dedication to educating them about the state of the world. She was convinced that building a supportive community among young people was key to guiding them toward effective action.
“And what do they need to take action? They need a group of likeminded people who believe in themselves,” – Jane Goodall
For the last few years, she dedicated her energies to cultivating the next generation of leaders ready to tackle the world’s biggest challenges. She was a fierce advocate for the potential of young people. They were one of her greatest sources of optimism in a climate outpaged and outspent on policy.
“I’ve been working on trying to make this a better world for animals, people, and the environment… one of my greatest reasons for hope in this battered world is the youth.” – Jane Goodall
Tributes are pouring in for Jane Goodall. One thing is certain, her legacy will live on through the thousands of lives she impacted. Her dedication to protecting our planet and her work inspiring the next generation of advocates and leaders will echo for years to come.
