Category: Recent

Douglas Adams (1952 – 2001)

“I think it’s brilliant. I’ve fallen completely in love with it. And the promise of what’s to come once people start developing in Cocoa is awesome…”

Douglas Adams, a technology enthusiast, was excited about the then-new Mac OS X he had been trying, and wrote this update on his personal website two weeks before his death at the age of 49.

The author and environmentalist, best known as the creator of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, collapsed from a heart attack at a private gym and died in Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital.

Pope John Paul II (1920 – 2005)

“Let me go to the house of the Father.”

The head of the Catholic Church, and 263rd successor to Peter, spoke these deathbed words to his aides in his native language Polish. John Paul II died from heart failure at the age of 84 in his private apartment at the Vatican.

Stephen Hawking (1942 – 2018)

“Remember to look up at the stars and not down at your feet.”

This is a quote from one of Stephen Hawking’s books – Brief Answers to the Big Questions. At the age of 21 he was diagnosed with motor neurone disease, which over time gradually paralysed him. The scientist, professor and author died peacefully at his home in Cambridge, he was aged 76.

Diego Maradona (1960 – 2020)

“I don’t feel well.”

Three weeks after having surgery to remove a blood clot on his brain, Diego Maradona spoke these last tragic words to nephew Johnny Esposito. The 60 year old soccer legend suffered a heart attack in his sleep and passed away at home in Buenos Aires.

Maya Angelou (1928 – 2014)

“Listen to yourself and in that quietude you might hear the voice of God”

This was Maya Angelou’s poignant final public tweet before her death at the age of 86. The writer, poet and civil rights activist passed away at her home in Winston-Salem from declining health including heart problems.

Gary Coleman (1968 – 2010)

“I love you and my head hurts”

The star of TV show Diff’rent Strokes spoke these dying words to ex-wife Shannon when he was in hospital. He had fallen at home, hitting his head and suffered brain hemorrhaging. Gary Coleman died two days later he was 42 years old.

Charles Schulz (1922 – 2000)

“Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Linus, Lucy.. how can I ever forget them?”

Charles Schulz’ last words came in the form of a goodbye message to his fans that was published in the very last edition of the original ‘Peanuts’ comic strip. The 77 year old cartoonist died of a heart attack in his sleep the night before that final Sunday strip was published.

Leslie Nielsen (1926 – 2010)

“Let ‘er rip”

Leslie Nielsen had one final joke with this inscription on his tombstone – a reference to his favorite practical joke the fart machine or whoopee cushion, and a play on the acronym of Rest In Peace.

The 84 year old actor and comedian died in his sleep of pneumonia, with family and friends at his bedside, in Holy Cross Hospital Florida.