“Don’t cry for me, for I go where music is born.”
These were the deathbed words of Johann Sebastian Bach, the famous composer and musician of the late Baroque period. Bach was 65 years of age when he suffered a stroke and died a few days later in his hometown of Leipzig. The stroke was caused by complications resulting from unsuccessful eye surgery.
“I HAVE HAD A HAPPY LIFE AND THANK THE LORD. GOODBYE AND MAY GOD BLESS ALL!”
Near the time of his death, Chris McCandless took a picture of himself waving while holding a written note with these last words on it. The 24 year old hiker and adventurer, who went by the pseudonym Alexander Supertramp, died of starvation and his body was found by a hunter in an abandoned bus on the Stampede Trail Alaska. Inspired by the details of McCandless’s story a biography was published which was later adapted into a movie ‘Into the Wild.’
“Don’t cry for me. I’m going to be with your father now.”
Jackie Onassis delivered these last words to her children Caroline and John, referring to former husband President Kennedy. The one-time first lady of the United States passed away aged 64 at home in New York City, she had been suffering from a terminal cancer of the blood.
“It matters not, man; God hath many things in store for us. And I know many means to do her Majesty good service and to make us rich..”
A hero to some, a pirate to others, this is reportedly a rallying speech he delivered shortly before dying from dysentery aboard his ship off the coast of Portobelo, Panama. Before his demise, Francis Drake asked to be dressed in full body armour, and was buried at sea in a lead-lined coffin a few miles off the coastline, he was 56 years old.
“What is this thing I’m feeling, I’m going to sleep now.”
The martial artist and actor spoke these final words to colleague Betty Ting before taking a painkiller and lying down for a nap. Bruce Lee never awoke from the nap – an autopsy would later conclude that he died from cerebral edema due to a reaction to compounds present in the painkiller. On the discovery of his unresponsive body Lee was brought to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Kowloon Hong Kong but declared dead on arrival at the age of 32.
“I’m tired of fighting.. I do not want to fight anymore..”
Erik Weisz, known professionally as Harry Houdini, delivered these deathbed words to his brother Tanch, just before passing away in Detroit’s Grace Hospital. Aged 52, the famous escapologist and illusionist died from peritonitis due to a ruptured appendix.
“Let’s have a really good red wine tonight.”
The psychiatrist and psychoanalyst spoke these final words, expressing a desire for a drink of red wine, before dying at his home in Küsnacht Switzerland. Carl Jung passed away “in great peace” after experiencing heart and circulatory issues, he was 85 years old.
“I want to go when I want. It is tasteless to prolong life artificially. I have done my share; it is time to go. I will do it elegantly.”
The famous theoretical physicist died from internal bleeding caused by a ruptured abdominal aneurysm. He was offered surgery which would have extended his life but refused and this was his response. Albert Einstein passed away in Princeton Hospital New Jersey he was 76 years old.
“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.
“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.
