In Memoriam
October 1, 2025 – The Leakey Foundation is saddened to share the news that Dr. Jane Goodall has passed away at age 91. Her death leaves an immeasurable void in the scientific community and in our hearts.
Jane’s scientific career began in 1960, when Louis Leakey, who recognized her extraordinary potential, sent her to Gombe to study wild chimpanzees. The discoveries she made there transformed our understanding of chimpanzees and redefined what it means to be human.
Transforming our understanding
Her careful, detailed observations of chimpanzee behavior showed that they make and use tools, form social bonds, experience profound emotions, and possess distinct personalities. Her work revealed the complexity of chimpanzee lives and shaped multiple fields of study.
Then, in 1986, when Jane saw that chimpanzees were in danger of extinction, she dedicated herself to protecting them. She spent decades traveling, speaking, advocating, and inspiring millions to care about conservation and animal welfare. She shared a powerful message of hope. Jane empowered young people to become conservation leaders and inspired generations of scientists to follow in her footsteps.
A remarkable career with global impact
Thanks to our donors, The Leakey Foundation supported Jane’s work with 17 grants across her remarkable career. We were honored to be part of her story from those early days at Gombe through her decades of groundbreaking research.
Jane Goodall’s legacy of hope
Jane’s legacy will live on in every scientist studying our primate cousins, every conservation program protecting threatened species, and every person she inspired to view the natural world with wonder and respect.
Jane Goodall was one of a kind, and we will miss her more than we can say. We send our heartfelt condolences to her family, friends, loved ones, and colleagues.
We’re collecting messages for more in-depth reflection about Jane’s life and legacy, and we would love to hear from you.
Please use our form below to share a memory of Jane or a reflection on what she means to you.
Leave a message in honor of Jane Goodall
“I and many others throughout the world mourn the sad news of Jane’s passing. She fundamentally altered our understanding of what it is to be human with her groundbreaking observations of chimpanzees in the wild making and using tools, hunting and eating meat, and engaging in lethal intergroup aggression. Jane was also a true pioneer who paved the way for countless scientists to pursue careers studying the behavior of animals, and she served as a wonderful role model for female scientists at a time when science was in desperate need of more of them, their perspectives, and voices. Chimpanzees across Africa will miss Jane the most because she was the strongest and most vocal proponent arguing for their protection and conservation, as they are endangered and stand at the brink of extinction. Their world and ours are now forever poorer without her. “
Dr. John Mitani
Co-Director of the Ngogo Chimpanzee Project
Emeritus Member of The Leakey Foundation’s Scientific Executive Committee
Photo by Chase Pickering, courtesy of the Jane Goodall Institute
