Dr. Jane Goodall, Legendary Primatologist, Dies at 91

Dr. Jane Goodall — the world’s most famous primatologist and a pioneer in the study of chimpanzees — has passed away at the age of 91, according to a statement released by the Jane Goodall Institute on her official Instagram account.

The institute confirmed that Goodall died of natural causes Wednesday morning in California, while on a speaking tour in the United States. Just last week, she had delivered a talk at The Plaza Hotel in New York City and was scheduled to appear at a nearly sold-out Los Angeles event this Friday.

A Trailblazer in Science

Goodall’s groundbreaking career began in 1957, when she traveled to Kenya to visit a friend and met famed paleoanthropologist Louis Leakey. Under his mentorship, she secured funding to study at Cambridge University and, in the 1960s, began her now-historic research on chimpanzees in Tanzania’s Gombe forest.

Her observations revealed striking similarities between chimpanzees and humans, forever changing the field of primatology. She was the first to document that primates used tools — once thought to be a uniquely human trait — and faced backlash at the time for attributing humanlike qualities to animals.

Advocate, Author, and Global Icon

Throughout her life, Goodall authored numerous books for both adults and children, and her work inspired a series of acclaimed documentaries, including Jane, which showcased previously unseen archival footage. In 1977, she founded the Jane Goodall Institute, which continues to drive conservation and community development across Africa.

Her influence also extended beyond science. She was honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Joe Biden earlier this year, and even inspired Stevie Nicks’ song Jane. In a 2016 interview, she advocated for greater use of CGI animals in films, citing Disney’s The Jungle Book as an example.

Personal Life

Goodall was married twice — first to wildlife photographer Hugo van Lawick (1964–1974), and later to Tanzanian parliament member Derek Bryceson, who passed away in 1980.

A Lasting Legacy

For more than six decades, Jane Goodall redefined humanity’s understanding of primates, reshaped conservation efforts, and became one of the most admired figures in science and culture. She leaves behind a legacy of compassion, discovery, and hope for the natural world.

She was 91.