Jane Goodall, Renowned Primatologist, Dies at 91
Jane Goodall, the renowned primatologist and conservationist who revolutionized understanding of chimpanzees—documenting tool use and complex social behavior during decades of research at Gombe—died at 91, the Jane Goodall Institute announced, saying she passed away of natural causes in California while on a U.S. speaking tour. Born April 3, 1934, and honored with awards including the Presidential Medal of Freedom, Goodall drew tributes from colleagues, advocates and leaders worldwide for her scientific and conservation legacy.
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📌 Key Facts
- Jane Goodall, 91, died on Oct. 1, 2025; the Jane Goodall Institute posted that she "passed away earlier that morning" and said the cause was natural causes while she was in California on a U.S. speaking tour.
- The Institute's announcement was widely corroborated by major U.S. outlets (NPR, Fox, ABC, CBS/60 Minutes), which ran obituaries, archival segments and tributes.
- Goodall was born April 3, 1934; after secretarial training she went to Africa in 1957, met anthropologist Louis Leakey, began long‑term fieldwork at Gombe in 1960 and earned a Ph.D. from Cambridge in 1966.
- Her field work revolutionized primatology: she documented that chimpanzees use tools and revealed complex social behaviors — showing both affection and violence, including what she and others described as a form of primitive warfare.
- She received high honors late in life, including the U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2025; President Joe Biden publicly praised her contributions and legacy.
- Colleagues and friends gave on‑camera remembrances (for example, Jeffrey Flocken called her "an inspiration for all of us"), and news programs ran archival profiles and video tributes celebrating her life and work.
📰 Sources (7)
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.'