Jane Goodall, the celebrated primatologist whose sixty-year study of wild chimpanzees transformed our understanding of animal intelligence and our sense of humanity, has died at age 91. Reports indicate she remained active to the end, appearing on a New York stage just a week before her death to discuss her career and the work of the Jane Goodall Institute at a global forum. Two days later, she sat down for a Wall Street Journal podcast, and she was continuing a speaking tour with engagements listed through early October in California and a trip to Washington, DC later in the month. The Jane Goodall Institute has long framed its mission as building an international community of action fueled by hope, and that ethos defined her life even in her final days.
Early life and the calling toward chimpanzees
Born in London, a girl drawn to the natural world by what she read and imagined, Goodall has often recalled a childhood fed by curiosity and a passion for animals. Her fascination deepened after she encountered stories of explorers and naturalists, and she later said that Dr Dolittle and similar tales helped spark a lifelong dream: to study animals in their own habitats. In 1960, at the age of 26, she journeyed to Tanzania for fieldwork, a pivotal moment that launched a six-decade study of wild chimpanzees. The mission was audacious: to live among the apes, learn how they communicate, and uncover the social lives of one of humanity’s closest relatives.
Groundbreaking science and a new view of animal intelligence
Goodall’s research broke new ground in our understanding of chimpanzee behavior. She observed them using tools, a discovery that challenged the then-prevailing view that tool use was uniquely human. A male chimpanzee was seen digging termites from a mound with a stick—an achievement that reshaped theories of animal intelligence. By the mid-1960s her work had captured global attention, culminating in a front-page feature on National Geographic in 1965 and a growing appreciation for the complexity of chimpanzee society—including social bonds, conflict, cooperation, and culture.
From the lab to the global stage: advocacy and education
Beyond the scientific breakthroughs, Goodall became a tireless advocate for chimpanzee welfare and environmental protection. She extended her inquiry beyond interviews to public speaking, education, and outreach, seeking to translate research into action. The name given to her by a Native American tribe—sister of mother earth—symbolized her role as a conduit between humans and the natural world. Through the Jane Goodall Institute, she expanded opportunities to learn, connect, and advocate for a more humane treatment of wildlife while highlighting the urgent need to protect habitats and communities that depend on them.
A life of action and an enduring legacy
Even in the final weeks of her life, Goodall remained engaged with audiences around the world. The institute emphasizes an international network of action, hope, and resilience—principles that guided her personal and professional journeys. While the Roots & Shoots youth program and other outreach efforts have educated millions, her broader legacy lies in reframing humanity’s relationship with the natural world: we are, as she often put it, part of a larger community that includes animals, ecosystems, and future generations. Her work continues to inspire students, researchers, and activists to pursue science with compassion and to advocate for policies that protect vulnerable species and fragile habitats.
Continuing the dialogue: what comes next
As the world reflects on her life, the core message endures: scientific discovery must be paired with hope, and action must be inclusive and global. The Jane Goodall Institute’s mission—to foster a worldwide network of conservationists, scientists, and everyday advocates—remains a guiding beacon for ongoing research, education, and community-led initiatives. Goodall’s voice, once carried across stages and podcasts, now endures in the countless people she inspired to look more closely at the world around them and to act with empathy toward other species and the planet we share.
