Famous people's final words
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| Famous people's final words |
Famous people's final words should be, well, famous. But since most people don't know which words will be their last, those final utterances can be revealing, touching or just odd. We've rounded up the reported last words of some memorable people, from George Washington to Bob Marley to Princess Diana.
Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah
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| Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah |
Claim to fame: December 25, 1876 – September 11, 1948) was a 20th century Father of the Nation uaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah's achievement as the lawyer, politician, statesman founder of Pakistan, dominates everything else he did in his long and crowded public life spanning some 42 years.
Last words: “What is it that keeps the Muslims united as one man, and what is the bedrock and sheet-anchor of the community? It is Islam. It is the Great Book, Quran, that is the sheet-anchor of Muslim. I am sure that as we go on and on there will be more and more of oneness – one God, one Book, one Prophet and one Nation.”
George Washington
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| George Washington |
Claim to fame: He led troops in the American Revolution.He later became the first president of the United States. Here are his first words in office in 1789.
Last words: "It is well, I die hard, but I am not afraid to go."
"I am just going. Have me decently buried; and don't let my body be put into the vault in less than three days after I am dead. Do you understand?
"'Tis well, 'Tis well."
(d. Dec. 14, 1799)
President Abraham Lincoln
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| Abraham Lincoln |
Claim to fame: America's Civil War president and stirring orator. Lincoln also wrote this document, which officially freed slaves in the South.
Last words: "They won't think anything about it,"
(d. April 15, 1865)
President John F. Kennedy
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| John F. Kennedy |
Claim to fame: The 35th and youngest-elected American president was also considered an inspiring speaker
Last words: "If someone is going to kill me, they will kill me," (on arriving in Dallas in 1963).
(d. Nov. 22, 1963)
Joan Crawford
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| Joan Crawford |
Claim to fame: Actress known for glamour and over-the-top self-promotion. Crawford became infamous known as a mean mom -- at least according to this author. The book became a bigger-than-life movie and sparked a campy quote that lives on.
Last words: "Damn it ... Don't you dare ask God to help me."
(d. May 10, 1977)
Elvis Presley
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| Elvis Presley |
Claim to fame: "The King" was arguably the most popular singer of his time.He also was a movie star.He became a superstar
Last words: "I hope I haven't bored you," (ending his last press conference).
Other reports say his last words were: "Okay, I won't" (d. Aug. 16, 1977)
James Dean
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| James Dean |
Claim to fame: Iconic, ill-fated talented actor who will forever be known as the face of rebellious youth in the 1950s. Here he is in his few movies - "East of Eden," "Rebel Without a Cause"
Last words: "That guy's got to stop ... he'll see us."
(d. Sept. 30, 1955)
Marilyn Monroe
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| Marilyn Monroe |
Claim to fame: S*x symbol and Hollywood movie icon of the 1950s. Conventional wisdom said she had affairs with this man and his brother.
Last words: "Say goodbye to Pat , say goodbye to Jack and say goodbye to yourself, because you're a nice guy."
(d. Aug. 4, 1962)
Tammy Faye Messner
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| Tammy Faye Messner |
Claim to fame: You may remember her as Tammy Faye Bakker, teary co-host of The PTL Club. Her ex-husband was a preacher, but he ended up in prison.
Last words: "I'm in the hands of Jesus."
(d. July 20, 2007)
Tim Russert
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| Tim Russert |
Claim to fame: Highly-regarded TV journalist, longtime moderator of NBC's "Meet The Press." One of his first jobs was as a worker for a fiery Democratic Senator. He gained fame penning a book about his dad -
Frank Sinatra
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| Frank Sinatra |
Claim to fame: Idolized singer of the 1940s, successful actor of the '50s and member of this celebrity gang.
Last words: "I'm losing." Other sources say, "I'm losing it." (according to his daughter)
(d. May 14, 1998)
Barry White
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| Barry White |
Claim to fame: Versatile, multi-award-winning R&B artist, master of soulful, smooth pop music in the 1970s..
Last words: "Leave me alone. I'm fine."
(d. July 4, 2003)
Edgar Allan Poe
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| Edgar Allan Poe |
Claim to fame: One of America's most famous writers of the 19th century, known for tales steeped in darkness, mystery and death.
Last words: "Lord, help my poor soul."
(d. Oct. 7, 1849)
Virginia Woolf
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| Virginia Woolf |
Claim to fame: One of the last century's most important authors, feminists and essayists; wrote classic "A Room of One's Own."
Last words: "I feel certain that I'm going mad again. I feel we can't go thru another of those terrible times. And I shan't recover this time. I begin to hear voices."
(d. March 28, 1941)
Pablo Picasso
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| Pablo Picasso |
Claim to fame: Renowned artist, sculptor, founder of this art form, some consider him the 20th century's most famous artist.
Last words: "Drink to me!" Other reports say "Drink to me. Drink to my health. You know I can't drink any more."
(d. April 8, 1973)
Frida Kahlo
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| Frida Kahlo |
Claim to fame: Acclaimed Mexican artist, self-proclaimed Communist, creator of unique brand of folk art - among them vividly colored self-portraits.
Last words: "I hope the exit is joyful and hope never to return."
(d. July 13, 1954)
Marvin Gaye
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| Marvin Gaye |
Claim to fame: Motown music's smooth hit-maker, instrumental in growth and quality of diverse styles of popular music in the 1960s and '70s.
Last words: "Mother, I'm going to get my things and get out of this house. Father hates me and I'm never coming back."
(d. April 1, 1984)
John Lennon
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| John Lennon |
Claim to fame: A founding member of The Beatles, went on to solo singing fame; controversial and vocal opponent of this war.
Last words: "Yes, I am," (while sitting in a police car on the way to a hospital, after officers asked him if he were John Lennon)
(d. Dec. 8, 1980)
Bob Marley
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| Bob Marley |
Claim to fame: Singer/songwriter/musician, considered the father of Jamaican reggae music and ambassador of this spiritual movement.
Last words: "Money can't buy life." (to one of his sons)
(d. May 11, 1981)
Malcolm X
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| Malcom X |
Claim to fame: Activist, speaker and one of the nation's most influential - and controversial -- black leaders. He was also a member of this religious group.
Last words: "Cool it, brothers." Other reports say "Now, now, brothers, break it up, be cool, be calm." Still others say "Brothers, Brothers, please! This is a house of peace."
(d. Feb. 21, 1965)
Robert F. Kennedy
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| Robert F. Kennedy |
Claim to fame: Adviser and then attorney general to his brother and president John F. Kennedy, he ran for the presidency in 1968 (watch videos of his speeches).
Last words: "Is everyone else all right?" (whispered to his wife).(d. June 5, 1968)Martin Luther King Jr.
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| Martin Luther King Jr. |
Claim to fame: Pastor, Nobel winner, acclaimed speaker , human-rights activist, champion of African-American civil rights, instrumental in success of this act passing. Read the speech he gave the day before he died.
Last words: "Make sure you play 'Take My Hand, Precious Lord.' Play it real pretty," (some disagree on the exact wording of this comment to musician Ben Branch, who was to perform at an event that evening).
(d. April 4, 1968)
Mother Teresa
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| Mother Teresa |
Claim to fame: Humble, humanitarian Catholic nun who gave aid and hope to sick, orphaned and dying poor of India for more than 45 years.
Last words: "Jesus, I love you. Jesus, I love you."
(d. Sept. 5, 1997)
Pope John Paul II
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| Pope John Paul II |
Claim to fame: Polish native and beloved Supreme Pontiff of the Catholic Church; ( influential world leader
Last words: "Amen"
(d. April 2, 2005)
Babe Ruth
Babe Ruth
Claim to fame: Historic home-run king of American baseball, "the Bambino" was sports hero of 1920s.
Last words: "I'm going over the valley."
(d. Aug. 16, 1948)
Joe DiMaggio
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| Joe DiMaggio |
Claim to fame: Joltin' Joe, considered one of the greatest baseball players in history.
Last words: "I finally get to see Marilyn" (referring to his ex-wife).
(d. March 8, 1999)
Saddam Hussein
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| Saddam Hussein |
Claim to fame: Iron-fisted dictator of Iraq for more than two decades; regime overthrown by U.S. military forces in 2003.
Last words: "I swear there is no God but Allah and Muhammad . . . "
(d. Dec. 30, 2006)
Al Capone
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| Al Capone |
Claim to fame: Notorious Chicago gangster/mob boss who committed numerous crimes, including smuggling liquor in this era.
Last words: "You can get more with a kind word and a gun than you can get with a kind word alone."
(d. Jan. 25, 1947)
Indira Gandhi
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| Indira Gandhi |
Claim to fame: Only female prime minister of India, she served for 15 years, working to bring progress to her country.
Last words: "I don't mind if my life goes in the service of the nation. If I die today every drop of my blood will invigorate the nation."
(d. Oct. 31, 1984)
Winston Churchill
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| Winston Churchill |
Claim to fame: Considered one of history's greatest wartime leaders and statesmen as Britain's Prime Minister during World War II.
Last words: "I'm bored with it all."
(d. Jan. 24, 1965)
Diana Spencer
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| Diana Spencer |
Claim to fame: Popular first wife of Prince Charles of Wales, a pretty princess who became the unceasing focus of global media. She was also a humanitarian.
Last words: "My God. What's happened?"
(d. Aug. 31, 1997)
Alex the African grey parrot
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| Alex the African grey parrot |
Claim to fame: The subject of a 30-year scientific experiment to study the intelligence of parrots.
Last words: "You be good. See you tomorrow. I love you."
