Dr. Jane Goodall passed away in Los Angeles on Wednesday. She was 91 years old and in the middle of yet another speaking tour. Goodall was a brilliant scientist, anthropologist and conservationist who revolutionized how humans study animals, especially primates. From the NY Times obituary:
Jane Goodall, one of the world’s most revered conservationists, who earned scientific stature and global celebrity by chronicling the distinctive behavior of wild chimpanzees in East Africa — primates that made and used tools, ate meat, held rain dances and engaged in organized warfare — died on Wednesday in Los Angeles. She was 91.
Her death, while on a speaking tour, was confirmed by the Jane Goodall Institute, whose U.S. headquarters are in Washington, D.C.
The British-born Dr. Goodall was 29 in the summer of 1963 when National Geographic magazine published her 7,500-word, 37-page account of the lives of primates she had observed in the Gombe Stream Chimpanzee Reserve in what is now Tanzania. The National Geographic Society had been financially supporting her field studies there. The article, with photographs by Hugo van Lawick, a Dutch wildlife photographer whom she later married, also described Dr. Goodall’s struggles to overcome disease, predators and frustration as she tried to get close to the chimps, working from a primitive research station along the eastern shore of Lake Tanganyika.
On the scientific merits alone, her discoveries about how wild chimpanzees raised their young, established leadership, socialized and communicated broke new ground and attracted immense attention and respect among researchers. Stephen Jay Gould, the evolutionary biologist and science historian, said her work with chimpanzees “represents one of the Western world’s great scientific achievements.”
Dr. Goodall was one of the rare “celebrity scientists,” someone whose work made her a pop culture figure and a household name. Her work and her speaking tours attracted celebrities, royals and politicians. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex released a statement honoring Dr. Goodall’s memory:
“Dr. Jane Goodall DBE was a visionary humanitarian, scientist, friend to the planet, and friend to us,” Prince Harry, 41, and Meghan, 44, said in a statement obtained by PEOPLE. “Her commitment to changing lives extends beyond what the world saw, and also to what we personally felt. She held our son, Archie, when he was first born, and showered love and care to those who were privileged to know her. She will be deeply missed.”
I’m including some photos of Harry’s event with Dr. Goodall in 2019, which was lovely and they seemed to love spending time together. She was a giant in all ways except height! What a lovely soul. (PS… just this morning, Prince William released a statement about Dr. Goodall as well – “Africa is MINE!” vibes.)
The world has lost an extraordinary voice with the passing of Dame Jane Goodall.
Her boundless curiosity, compassion and pioneering spirit transformed our understanding of the natural world. She challenged us all to make a difference and inspired me and countless others to work…
— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) October 2, 2025
July 30, 2019. “The Duke of Sussex met with world renowned ethologist Dr. Jane Goodall for an intimate conversation on environment, activism, and the world as they see it.”
Jane Goodall 1934 – 2025 🕊️#JaneGoodall
📸 Chris Allerton / Sussex Royal pic.twitter.com/OeY9LbAre1
— ChrisBaronSmith (@ChrisBaronSmit1) October 1, 2025
Photos courtesy of Cover Images.
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- USA Rights Only – Berkshire, UK -20190723-Prince Harry at Roots and Shoots Global Leadership Meeting at Windsor Castle -PICTURED: Prince Harry and Dr Jane Goodall -PHOTO by: Kirsty Wigglesworth/PA Images/INSTARimages.com -44268631.jpg This is an editorial, rights-managed image. Please contact Instar Images LLC for licensing fee and rights information at sales@instarimages.com or call +1 212 414 0207 This image may not be published in any way that is, or might be deemed to be, defamatory, libelous, pornographic, or obscene. Please consult our sales department for any clarification needed prior to publication and use. Instar Images LLC reserves the right to pursue unauthorized users of this material. If you are in violation of our intellectual property rights or copyright you may be liable for damages, loss of income, any profits you derive from the unauthorized use of this material and, where appropriate, the cost of collection and/or any statutory damages awarded Featuring: Prince Harry and Dr Jane Goodall Where: Berkshire, England, United Kingdom When: 23 Jul 2019 Credit: Kirsty Wigglesworth/PA Images/INSTARimages.com **USA Rights Only**
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- USA Rights Only – Berkshire, UK -20190723-Prince Harry at Roots and Shoots Global Leadership Meeting at Windsor Castle -PICTURED: Prince Harry and Dr Jane Goodall -PHOTO by: Kirsty Wigglesworth/PA Images/INSTARimages.com -44271216.jpg This is an editorial, rights-managed image. Please contact Instar Images LLC for licensing fee and rights information at sales@instarimages.com or call +1 212 414 0207 This image may not be published in any way that is, or might be deemed to be, defamatory, libelous, pornographic, or obscene. Please consult our sales department for any clarification needed prior to publication and use. Instar Images LLC reserves the right to pursue unauthorized users of this material. If you are in violation of our intellectual property rights or copyright you may be liable for damages, loss of income, any profits you derive from the unauthorized use of this material and, where appropriate, the cost of collection and/or any statutory damages awarded Featuring: Prince Harry and Dr Jane Goodall Where: Berkshire, England, United Kingdom When: 23 Jul 2019 Credit: Kirsty Wigglesworth/PA Images/INSTARimages.com **USA Rights Only**
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- USA Rights Only – Berkshire, UK -20190723-Prince Harry at Roots and Shoots Global Leadership Meeting at Windsor Castle -PICTURED: Prince Harry and Dr Jane Goodall -PHOTO by: Kirsty Wigglesworth/PA Images/INSTARimages.com -44271218.jpg This is an editorial, rights-managed image. Please contact Instar Images LLC for licensing fee and rights information at sales@instarimages.com or call +1 212 414 0207 This image may not be published in any way that is, or might be deemed to be, defamatory, libelous, pornographic, or obscene. Please consult our sales department for any clarification needed prior to publication and use. Instar Images LLC reserves the right to pursue unauthorized users of this material. If you are in violation of our intellectual property rights or copyright you may be liable for damages, loss of income, any profits you derive from the unauthorized use of this material and, where appropriate, the cost of collection and/or any statutory damages awarded Featuring: Prince Harry and Dr Jane Goodall Where: Berkshire, England, United Kingdom When: 23 Jul 2019 Credit: Kirsty Wigglesworth/PA Images/INSTARimages.com **USA Rights Only**
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- British zoologist and primatologist Jane Goodall acknowledges the audience before giving a lecture at the UNESCO House Featuring: Jane Goodall Where: Paris, France When: 19 Oct 2024 Credit: Abaca Press/INSTARimages **NORTH AMERICA RIGHTS ONLY**
Her comparison of Trump to a male chimpanzee trying to get attention is forever gold. May she rest in power. ✊👊
What a life she lived! 💗
She was an inspiration, kind hearted and will br forever missed. Rest in Power Jane.
Dr JG’s pioneering research — while having to overcome traditional misogyny, all trimmings included — helped to shape how we perceive the world around us and make us try to understand it better.
Too bad for us that many men in positions of power chose not to listen.
Her voice and expertise will be sorely missed.
i was a member of Irelands citizens assembly on biodiversity and she gave us a talk at that. she was amazing to listen to, so interesting and passionate about the topic. she is definitely a loss for the world right when we need more people like her.
I’m a biologist and something that struck me yesterday was how many of my friends were inspired to continue science by meeting her. I don’t think I appreciated how much time she spent on outreach. She really inspired a whole generation of women biologist. I’m wearing a shirt she signed for me in high school today as I think of her and her amazing life.
She was and extraordinary woman, an icon. RIP Jane, I will miss you.
RIP Ms Goodall
Had the pleasure of attending one of her lectures in the early nineties – Lord knows why she came to the tiny community college where I took a few classes instead of the larger universities in the area, but I am beyond grateful she did (and I managed to get a ticket). She radiated, intelligence and compassion. A giant has left us.
What a wonderful woman!
I was a student at the University of Rhode Island in the 1970s. She was a rockstar scientist yet surprisingly appreciative of the students hearing her words. She’s a giant and our planet is lucky to have had her voice.