The final words said by someone can leave quite an impression. Not just because of their significance to someone’s life, being the last recorded thoughts they have, but they often take on a greater meaning.
Especially when they are poignant or funny. And many famous people have spoken extremely memorable words in their final moments.
When writing a sympathy card message it’s often useful to include profound or touching quotes. The last words of famous people can be helpful in this regard as some have said very fitting things for a card. They might help to provide comfort or understanding to the bereaved.
So take a look at some of these famous last words of a variety of well known people below.
Famous Last Words Quotes
“I’m bored with it all” – Winston Churchill
Spoken just before he slipped into a coma.
“I’m losing it” – Frank Sinatra
Spoken to his wife who was at his bedside when he died.
“Happy” – Raphael
His reported last word
“I should never have switched from scotch to martinis.” – Humphrey Bogart
“Money can’t buy life” – Bob Marley
“Oh wow.” – Steve Jobs
Repeated three times after a long last look at his family.
“It’s better to burn out than to fade away.” – Kurt Cobain
Written in his suicide note.
“I’d hate to die twice. It’s so boring.” – Richard Feynman
“Goodbye Kid. Hurry back.” – Humphrey Bogart
Said to Lauren Bacall as she briefly left his bedside.
“I’m going away tonight.” – James Brown
“I finally get to see Marilyn.” – Joe DiMaggio
“I have offended God and mankind because my work did not reach the quality it should have.” – Leonardo da Vinci
“This is the last of earth. I am content.
” – John Quincy Adams
Said when he collapsed after a stroke in the US Senate.
“I’m shot.” – John Lennon
Repeated twice as he was shot outside his apartment building in New York.
“Don’t die like I did.” – George Best
Handwritten on a card by his hospital deathbed.
“You will not find me alive at sunrise.” – Michel de Nostradamus
“I am not the least afraid to die.” – Charles Darwin
“You are wonderful.” – Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Said to his wife
“I want nothing but death.” – Jane Austen
Said to her sister Cassandra on her deathbed.
“I told you I was ill.” – Spike Milligan
The epitaph (translated form the Gaelic) that he requested for his gravestone.
“France, the army, the head of the army, Joséphine.” – Napoléon Bonaparte
“Nancy, I want you to know my last thoughts are of you.” – P. T. Barnum
Said to his wife a few hours before he died.
“Take a step forward, lads. It will be easier that way.” – Erskine Childers
An encouragement to his firing squad.
“Music has been my doorway of perception and the house that I live in.” – David Bowie
Said to his friend Gary Oldman towards the end of his life.
“Pardon me. I didn’t do it on purpose.” – Marie Antoinette
After accidentally stepping on her executioner’s foot as she climbed the scaffold to the guillotine.
“I’d rather be skiing.” – Stan Laurel
His response when having his last injection.
“Let not poor Nelly starve.” – King Charles II
Said in reference to Nell Gwynne, after the stroke from which he died.
“My Florida water.” – Lucille Ball
Said when asked if there was anything she wanted.
“It is not my design to drink or sleep. My design is to make what haste I can to be gone.” – Oliver Cromwell
His response when offered a drink by a servant.
Augustus Caesar –
To his subjects he reportedly said:
“I found Rome of clay; I leave it to you of marble.”
And to his friends who were with him throughout his reign he said:
“Have I played the part well? Then applaud me as I exit.”
“Thomas Jefferson survives.” – John Adams
Jefferson had actually died some hours earlier, also on July 4, the day he died
“It is very beautiful out there.” – Thomas Edison
Said right before his death, Edison came out of a coma and opened his eyes. He was probably referring to the view outside his window.
“Why do you weep. Did you think I was immortal?” – Louis XIV, King of France
“It is well, I die hard, but I am not afraid to go.” – George Washington
“Go on, get out – last words are for fools who haven’t said enough.” – Karl Marx
We hope these famous people’s last words have inspired or made you laugh. Some are surprising and some more interesting but it just shows how the last thing you say can be very memorable.
