Jane Goodall, the top expert on chimpanzees in the world, who was featured in over 40 documentaries, has passed away.
After her death at the age of 91, people around the globe are honoring Jane Goodall’s amazing life — and one person who was deeply inspired by this famous activist is Leonardo DiCaprio.
The actor has shared his touching final thoughts about the famous anthropologist.
A young woman in a male-dominated world
The world is grieving the loss of Jane Goodall, the trailblazing primatologist whose important work on chimpanzees changed how we see the natural world. Goodall, who was 91, died on October 1, 2025, while she was on a speaking tour in California, as confirmed by the Jane Goodall Institute.
Goodall’s name is linked with caring for wildlife and relentless conservation efforts. She first gained worldwide attention in 1960 when she journeyed from England to what is now Tanzania to study chimpanzees in their natural habitat — a daring step for a young woman in a male-dominated profession.
She told People about how she saw chimpanzees using tools: “Using a piece of grass as a tool to fish for termites, then picking leafy twigs and stripping the leaves.” Before this, it was believed that only humans used tools.
Her passion for animals and her desire to create change motivated her to get a Ph.D. in ethology from Cambridge in 1962, even though she didn’t have a bachelor’s degree. In 1977, she started the Jane Goodall Institute, wrote many books, and dedicated over sixty years to promoting animal welfare, conservation, and taking care of the environment.
“I’m desperate to make a difference before it’s too late,” she shared with Parade in 2020.
“We can either give up, or we can acknowledge that we’ve harmed the environment, but we will fight for what remains.”
Goodall’s efforts made her a UN Messenger of Peace, a title she held alongside Leonardo DiCaprio. After she passed away, the Oscar-winning actor posted a touching tribute to his long-time friend and partner in conservation.
Leonardo DiCaprio’s final words to her
“Jane Goodall dedicated her life to safeguarding our planet and giving a voice to wild animals and their habitats,” DiCaprio expressed on Instagram.
“Her pioneering research on chimpanzees in Tanzania changed how we understand our closest relatives’ lives, social interactions, and thoughts—reminding us that we are closely linked not just to chimpanzees and other great apes, but to all living beings.”
He added, “For many years, Jane traveled around the globe with endless energy, inspiring generations to appreciate the beauty of the natural world. She connected directly with young people, fostering hope, responsibility, and the idea that everyone can make a difference. She motivated millions to care, take action, and remain hopeful. She never gave up. My heartfelt condolences to her family.
DiCaprio asked his followers to celebrate Goodall’s legacy: “Join me in supporting the Jane Goodall Institute and other conservation groups. My last message to Jane was simple: ‘You are my hero.’ Now, we all need to carry the torch for her in protecting our one shared home.”
Goodall’s impact went way beyond just science. She was in over 40 documentaries, sharing her findings and thoughts with everyone, and most recently worked with DiCaprio on Howl, a live-action movie that looks at the survival journey of a dog and a wolf from the animals’ point of view.
What was Jane Goodall’s cause of death?
It’s not clear if Jane Goodall had any serious illnesses, but we do know she had prosopagnosia, which made it hard for her to recognize faces she knew.
She died of natural causes, as confirmed by the Jane Goodall Institute on Instagram.
Jane’s adventure — starting as a little girl who loved animals and growing into a pioneering anthropologist and worldwide environmental hero — creates a lasting impact that will keep inspiring future generations.
She is remembered by her son, Hugo Eric Louis van Lawick, and her three grandkids.
