“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.
“Leave me alone, I’m fine”
These were Barry White’s dying words, stoically spoken to a nurse in Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles. The iconic singer and songwriter died from kidney failure at the age of 58.
“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.
“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.
“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.
“Yes, Jesus Loves Me”
This was the title of the last song that Whitney Houston performed in her final public appearance.
The 48 year old singer and actress was found unresponsive in her hotel room bathtub, and attempts to revive her were unsuccessful. The cause of death was listed as “accidental drowning.”
“Mike can get it done”
These were among the last words of the legendary actor and filmmaker, spoken to his son Michael, in the days before his death. They refer to his support for Michael Bloomberg in the 2020 presidential campaign.
Kirk Douglas died at his home in Beverly Hills, surrounded by family, he was 103 years of age.
“I am dead. How are you? I’ll see you soon … I would call and tell you what this is like, but there is no reception up here […]Cut. New scene, new setup, new heavenly location. I have finally got the part that I have been rehearsing for all my life. God gave me the part. This is the end of the road I have been touring on all my life.”
Carrie Fisher left behind this after-death note, writing as if she was dead, which her brother Todd later discovered.
The actress and writer, most well known for playing the role of Princess Leia in Star Wars, died at the UCLA Medical center in Los Angeles, four days after suffering a heart attack on a flight from London. She was 60 years old.
“Bernadette”
This was the Queen of Soul’s final word spoken in a phone conversation with a friend just days before her death. “Bernadette” was her favorite song by The Four Tops.
Aretha Franklin died aged 76 at her home in Detroit, surrounded by family and friends. The cause of death was malignant pancreatic tumor.
“When it looks like I may live longer than five minutes I’ll drop cigarettes like a hot potato.”
The actor and producer, a heavy smoker, spoke these last words shortly before his death at the age of 57 from pancreatic cancer. Patrick Swayze died at his home in Los Angeles with family by his side.
