Jane Goodall, Renowned Primatologist, Dies at 91
Jane Goodall, the world‑renowned primatologist and conservationist, died at 91 in California while on a U.S. speaking tour, the Jane Goodall Institute said, noting she "passed away earlier that morning" of natural causes (reported Oct. 2, 2025). Born April 3, 1934, Goodall rose to prominence after meeting Louis Leakey and beginning Gombe fieldwork in 1960 — documenting chimpanzee tool use and complex social and violent behavior — and was honored with awards including the 2025 Presidential Medal of Freedom.
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🔍 Key Facts
- Jane Goodall, the renowned primatologist, died at age 91; the Jane Goodall Institute posted an announcement saying she 'passed away earlier that morning' and cited 'natural causes.'
- She died while in California as part of a U.S. speaking tour.
- Born April 3, 1934, Goodall arrived in Africa in 1957, was recruited by Louis Leakey, began long‑term fieldwork at Gombe in 1960, and earned a Ph.D. from Cambridge in 1966.
- Her pioneering research documented that chimpanzees make and use tools and revealed complex social behaviors—affection and compassion as well as violence, which she described in part as 'a kind of primitive warfare.'
- She received the Presidential Medal of Freedom earlier in 2025; President Joe Biden publicly praised her contributions.
- Major U.S. outlets ran tributes and archival segments (including CBS News/60 Minutes), and friends and colleagues such as Jeffrey Flocken gave on‑camera remembrances calling her 'an inspiration for all of us.'
📰 Sources (6)
What to know about the life and legacy of Jane Goodall
New information:
- Confirms Goodall died while on a U.S. speaking tour (reported Oct. 2, 2025).
- Quotes President Joe Biden praising her and noting she received the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
- Provides concise biographical summary (1957 arrival in Africa; Louis Leakey recruitment; Ph.D. from Cambridge in 1966) and notable field observations (documented chimpanzee violence and social behavior).
Jane Goodall's friend remembers the animal advocate: "She is an inspiration for all of us"
New information:
- Jeffrey Flocken, chief international officer of Humane World for Animals and a personal friend of Goodall’s, gave an on‑camera remembrance to CBS News.
- Flocken is quoted calling Jane Goodall 'an inspiration for all of us' in the CBS News 'The Daily Report' segment.
- The CBS piece is a short video tribute (TV segment) rather than a written obituary and carries the voice of a named colleague/advocate.
Jane Goodall and Tom Mangelsen | 60 Minutes Archive
New information:
- CBS News/60 Minutes archival video segment referencing Jane Goodall and Tom Mangelsen (includes a 2018 Anderson Cooper profile of Mangelsen).
- Source explicitly states Goodall 'died today at the age of 91,' providing corroboration from a major U.S. news outlet.
Jane Goodall, pioneer who discovered chimpanzees use tools, dead at 91 during U.S. tour
New information:
- Jane Goodall Institute said she 'passed away earlier that morning' and that the cause was 'natural causes.'
- The article specifies she was in California as part of a U.S. speaking tour when she died.
- Notes she received the Presidential Medal of Freedom earlier in 2025 (contextual US recognition).
Jane Goodall, legendary primatologist, has died at age 91
New information:
- Announcement source: Jane Goodall Institute posted the announcement confirming her death.
- Biographical details reiterated/collected: birth date (April 3, 1934) and early-career details (secretarial school, meeting Louis Leakey, Gombe fieldwork beginning in 1960).
- Direct quote used in obituary illustrating her scientific framing: 'They kiss, embrace, hold hands, pat one another on the back. They show love and compassion, and they also show violence and have a kind of primitive warfare.'