LOS ANGELES, CA – October 2, 2025 – Dr. Jane Goodall, the pioneering primatologist whose groundbreaking research with chimpanzees redefined our understanding of animal intelligence and conservation, has died at the age of 91.
In a statement released this morning, the Jane Goodall Institute (JGI) confirmed the passing of its iconic founder. “With great sadness, the Jane Goodall Institute confirmed this morning the passing of the organization’s founder, Dr. Jane Goodall,” the statement read. The Institute noted that she “died peacefully in her sleep while in Los Angeles, CA for her speaking tour in the United States.”
Dr. Goodall’s life was one of extraordinary impact. Her work not only made an indelible mark on our understanding of chimpanzees and other species, but also of humankind and the fragile environments we all share. For decades, she served as a global beacon of inspiration, instilling curiosity, hope, and compassion in countless people around the world.
Her journey began in 1960 when she first arrived in what is now Gombe National Park, Tanzania, to begin her revolutionary study of wild chimpanzees. This research project, which continues to this day, became the longest-running of its kind and produced a wealth of discoveries that challenged scientific conventions, including the observation that chimpanzees make and use tools.
Beyond her field research, Dr. Goodall was a tireless advocate for the planet. For over four decades, she championed the Jane Goodall Institute’s community-centered conservation initiatives, working to protect chimpanzees and their habitats across Africa.
Her profound legacy also includes the creation of JGI’s international environmental and humanitarian youth program, Roots & Shoots. Founded on the principle that every individual can make a difference, the program is now actively driving change in 75 countries and continues to grow, empowering the next generation of leaders she so passionately believed in.
Dr. Goodall’s passing marks the end of an era, but her unshakeable spirit and dedication to creating a better world for people, animals, and the environment will continue to inspire generations to come.