Renowned British-born primatologist, anthropologist, zoologist, and author, Jane Goodall, has passed away at the age of 91, as confirmed by a statement from the Jane Goodall Institute. A trailblazer in animal behavior research, Goodall gained worldwide recognition for her groundbreaking studies of chimpanzees in Tanzania’s Gombe National Park during the 1960s. Her tireless advocacy for animal welfare and conservation initiatives has inspired generations.
“The Jane Goodall Institute has learned this morning, Wednesday, October 1, 2025, that Dr. Jane Goodall DBE, UN Messenger of Peace and Founder of the Jane Goodall Institute, has passed away due to natural causes,” the statement shared on social media read. “She was in California as part of her speaking tour in the United States.”
“Dr. Goodall’s groundbreaking discoveries in the field of ethology transformed scientific understanding, and she remained a fervent advocate for the protection and restoration of our planet’s ecosystems,” the statement emphasized.
Goodall circa 1995
Photo: Getty Images
In celebration of her 90th birthday the previous year, Goodall, who famously traveled around the globe for over 300 days each year, expressed vital concerns about environmental sustainability. In an interview with Vogue, she stated, “We have really destroyed the planet. And we’re getting to a point of no return, but we still have a window of time. Why do you think I’m rushing around the world? Because if people lose hope, then you take no action. And then we’re doomed.”
Her enduring spirit of curiosity, optimism, and profound connection to nature drove every facet of her work, from her pioneering research on primates in East Africa to her collaborative efforts with companies dedicated to ethical practices, such as the fine-jewelry brand Brilliant Earth and wellness company Forest Remedies.
When asked by Vogue in a 2020 interview about her first destination once travel restrictions owing to the COVID-19 pandemic were lifted, Goodall, then residing in Bournemouth, England, stated, “It will be to Tanzania where my family is, where Gombe is, where the research is… I really need to get back there. I miss it more than I thought I would, sitting on the shore of Lake Tanganyika, watching the sun set, going out in the forest by myself, learning about the interconnection of all the different species that live in the forest and together make up this tapestry of life. It is so beautiful.”
As the world mourns the loss of Dr. Goodall, her extraordinary legacy is being remembered through tributes expressing gratitude for her impactful life and unwavering commitment to the natural world.
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