Tina Turner (1939 – 2023)

“My kidneys are victims of my not realising that my high blood pressure should have been treated with conventional medicine. I have put myself in great danger by refusing to face the reality that I need daily, lifelong therapy with medication. For far too long I believed that my body was an untouchable and indestructible bastion.”

The Queen of Rock n Roll made this final post on social media just days before her death. Tina Turner died at her home in Switzerland, following years of illness, she was 83 years old.

John Adams (1735 – 1826)

“Thomas Jefferson survives.”

The American President and founding father died of a heart attack at 90 years of age on the 4th of July, the 50th anniversary of the declaration of independence. He was unaware that longtime friend and rival Thomas Jefferson had died earlier the same day.

Queen Victoria (1819 – 1901)

“Bertie”

This was the last word the Queen spoke, the name of her eldest son and heir, Albert Edward. Queen Victoria died of a stroke, aged 81, at her royal residence Osborne House on the Isle of Wight, surrounded by family.

Queen Elizabeth II (1926 – 2022)

“Edward came to see me.”

Britain’s longest reigning monarch made this final entry in her diary, written two days before she died, referring to private secretary Edward Young who was helping with the swearing in of new ministers. The Queen was 96 years old when she died peacefully in her sleep of old age.

Prince Philip (1921 – 2021)

“Well, I’ve got to be alive for it, haven’t I?”

The husband of the Queen was speaking on the phone to his son Charles the day before he died – Charles had asked him how he wanted to celebrate his upcoming 100th birthday. Aged 99 Prince Philip died peacefully of old age, the Queen was at his bedside when he died.

Sinéad O’Connor (1966 – 2023)

“He was the love of my life, the lamp of my soul. We were one soul in two halves. He was the only person who ever loved me unconditionally. I am lost in the bardo without him.”

Singer songwriter and activist, Sinéad O’Connor made this final tweet just days before she died, talking about her deceased son Shane. She died in her apartment at the age of 56, the cause of death was chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and bronchial asthma.

Timothy McVeigh (1968 – 2001)

“It matters not how strait the gate, How charged with punishments the scroll, I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul.”

Convicted of the Oklahoma City bombing, Timothy McVeigh chose the poem “Invictus” for his final written statement before being executed by lethal injection.

Robbie Coltrane (1950 – 2022)

“The legacy of the movies is that my children’s generation will show them to their children. So you could be watching in 50 years’ time. I’ll not be here sadly, but Hagrid will.”

The actor and comedian, most famous for playing the role of Hagrid in the Harry Potter movies, spoke these words in a documentary shortly before his death. Robbie Coltrane died in hospital from multiple organ failure aged 72.

Christopher Lee (1922 – 2015)

“I will dream of you. Have a good life.”

The poignant final words from his final movie role, of the actor and horror icon Christopher Lee. He died from heart failure in hospital at the age of 93.

Walt Disney (1901 – 1966)

“TV Projects In Production: Ready for Production or Possible for Escalation and Story: Ron Miller, 2 Way Down Cellar, Kurt Russell, and CIA—Mobley.”

The famous animator and filmmaker left behind a written note before he died, with these mysterious words on it. Walt Disney had been a heavy smoker most of his life and died from complications after lung cancer surgery. He was 65 years of age.