There are few people in the world whose mission of compassion, conservation, and care are so universally appreciated that the legacy eclipses the human being. Dr. Jane Goodall, DBE, was one such person, whose work with chimpanzees fundamentally changed the way that people see, think about, and engage with primates — including human primates. Dr. Goodall — founder of the Jane Goodall Institute (JGI) and UN Messenger of Peace, and a world-renowned ethologist and conservationist — died on Wednesday at the age of 91.
Earlier this year in March, she filmed an interview with Netflix that she understood would only be released after her death. Interviewed by Emmy Award-winner Brad Falchuk under strict confidentiality, the conversation was for Famous Last Words, a new Netflix documentary long-form series based on the notable Danish TV format of the same name featuring some of the world’s cultural icons. The interview was held on an empty stage, and captured by remotely operated cameras. The footage was securely held until she died, unedited, so that nobody outside the pair would know the contents until now.
Loosened with a pour of whiskey, which she told Falchuk was good for her voice, Goodall looked back on the span of her life and work with her signature blend of calm and obstinance. The stories she shared with Falchuk — and now us — range from her early observations of the fictional character Tarzan’s wife (“his Jane was a real wimp”) to her thoughts on free will, how to win arguments, ex-husbands, and the pull she felt toward spirituality toward the end of her life. She also revealed some private thoughts she’s never disclosed, even to her own family, and listed out her regrets, as well as who among the “cloud contingent” she hoped would greet her on the other side.
After finishing their whiskey with a moving toast, Falchuk left the stage so that Goodall could speak directly to the camera to deliver her final, unedited public thoughts. Here it is in full:
“In the place where I am now, I look back over my life. I look back at the world I’ve left behind. What message do I want to leave? I want to make sure that you all understand that each and every one of you has a role to play. You may not know it, you may not find it, but your life matters, and you are here for a reason. And I just hope that reason will become apparent as you live through your life. I want you to know that, whether or not you find that role that you’re supposed to play, your life does matter, and that every single day you live, you make a difference in the world. And you get to choose the difference that you make.
“I want you to understand that we are part of the natural world. And even today, when the planet is dark, there still is hope. Don’t lose hope. If you lose hope, you become apathetic and do nothing. And if you want to save what is still beautiful in this world — if you want to save the planet for the future generations, your grandchildren, their grandchildren — then think about the actions you take each day. Because, multiplied a million, a billion times, even small actions will make for great change. I want to — I just hope that you understand that this life on Planet Earth isn’t the end. I believe, and now I know that there is life beyond death. That consciousness survives.
“I can’t tell you, from where I am, secrets that are not mine to share. I can’t tell you what you will find when you leave Planet Earth. But I want you to know that your life on Planet Earth will make some difference in the kind of life you find after you die. Above all, I want you to think about the fact that we are part — when we’re on Planet Earth — we are part of Mother Nature. We depend on Mother Nature for clean air, for water, for food, for clothing, for everything. And as we destroy one ecosystem after another, as we create worse climate change, worse loss of diversity, we have to do everything in our power to make the world a better place for the children alive today, and for those that will follow. You have it in your power to make a difference. Don’t give up. There is a future for you. Do your best while you’re still on this beautiful Planet Earth that I look down upon from where I am now. God bless you all.”
