12 Last Words Spoken By Historical Greats Might Surprise You

Have you ever thought about what your last words might be? 

Would you leave your family with a bit of wisdom like Bob Marley did, or maybe go out with one final witty remark like Oscar Wilde? 

Most of us probably don’t have a perfect one-liner planned for our final moments, but there’s something captivating about the last words of cultural and historical icons.

While it’s tough to capture a whole life in just a few words, you might be surprised by how these famous figures chose to say goodbye.

1. “Money can’t buy life” – Bob Marley

These were the final words Bob Marley shared with his son, Ziggy, just before passing away from cancer in 1981 at the age of 36. Even in his last moments, the legendary Jamaican musician and reggae icon reminded us that no amount of money can hold onto life.

2. “Of course, I know who you are. You’re my girl. I love you.” – John Wayne

In his final days, legendary actor John Wayne was battling stomach cancer. His daughter Aissa was by his side, filled with emotion. When she asked if he recognized her, Wayne’s tender reply showed his enduring love and warmth.

3. “Love one another.” – George Harrison

Beatles guitarist George Harrison’s final message was a simple but profound one. As he succumbed to cancer in 2001, his last words, “Love one another,” were a reflection of his lifelong spiritual journey. 

4. “My wallpaper and I are fighting a duel to the death. One or the other of us has to go” – Oscar Wilde

True to his sharp wit, the Irish playwright and novelist reportedly said these words to friends just weeks before his death in 1900. Even in his final days, Wilde couldn’t resist a clever remark.

5. “Last words are for fools who haven’t said enough” – Karl Marx

These were the sharp final words of the German philosopher, shouted at his housekeeper in 1883 when she asked if he had anything left to say. Marx, never one to hold back, made it clear he’d already said all he needed to.

6. “I hope the exit is joyful and hope never to return” – Frida Kahlo

These were the parting words of the iconic Mexican artist, written in her diary just days before her death in 1954. Known for her powerful self-portraits, Kahlo’s final reflection captures both her acceptance of death and her hope for peace.

7. “I finally get to see Marilyn again.” – Joe DiMaggio

Shortly before his death in 1999, legendary baseball player Joe DiMaggio spoke these heartfelt words, referring to his late ex-wife, Marilyn Monroe. 

Despite their brief and rocky marriage, DiMaggio never remarried and continued to send flowers to Monroe’s grave for years. His final words, “I finally get to see Marilyn again,” reveal the enduring bond he felt.

8. “Damn it! Don’t you dare ask God to help me!” – Joan Crawford

Actress Joan Crawford’s defiant nature remained intact until her final moments. 

As she lay dying in 1977, a nurse began to pray aloud by her bedside, to which Crawford snapped, “Damn it! Don’t you dare ask God to help me!” 

Known for her strong will and larger-than-life persona, Crawford’s last words encapsulated her rebellious spirit and refusal to give in to vulnerability, even in her last breath.

9. “So this is death. Well!” – Thomas Carlyle

Scottish philosopher Thomas Carlyle’s last words were a calm reflection on life’s inevitable end. 

Carlyle, known for his profound thoughts and writings, met death with a sense of curiosity, remarking, “So this is death. Well!” in 1881. 

His simple yet insightful comment reveals a man who spent his life pondering life’s great mysteries and accepted his mortality with the same intellectual curiosity that defined his work.

10. “Goodnight, my darlings. I’ll see you tomorrow.” – Noel Coward

These were the tender final words of the playwright before he passed away peacefully in his sleep at his home in Jamaica in 1974, after spending an evening with friends. 

To honor his legacy, a memorial stone was later unveiled in Poet’s Corner at Westminster Abbey by the Queen Mother, who remarked, “I came because he was my friend.”

11. “One last drink, please.” – Jack Daniel

Jack Daniel, the man behind the iconic Tennessee whiskey brand, had a final wish that was simple yet fitting for his legacy. 

As he lay on his deathbed in 1911, battling an infection, he reportedly said, “One last drink, please.” 

This request perfectly reflected his life’s passion, showing a man who embraced his love for whiskey until the very end.

12. “I want nothing but death.”– Jane Austen

The beloved novelist Jane Austen, known for her timeless literary masterpieces, faced her final moments with a sense of poignant acceptance. 

As she battled a mysterious illness in 1817, she spoke her last words to her sister Cassandra: “I want nothing but death.” 

Despite the sadness in her words, her novels continue to captivate readers and inspire adaptations, long after her untimely death at 41.