The final words of history’s icons have often become as celebrated as their lives. These last utterances, whether profound, poetic, or peculiar, are windows into the personalities and final thoughts of those who left a significant mark on the world. Let’s explore some of the most memorable last words.
Oscar Wilde: “Either this wallpaper goes, or I do.”
Known for his wit, the famous playwright and novelist Oscar Wilde supposedly made this quip about the decor of his room in a Paris hotel as he lay on his deathbed in 1900. Whether or not these were his exact last words, they are often cited as an example of his sharp humor.
Marie Antoinette: “Pardon me, sir. I did not do it on purpose.”
As she approached the guillotine, Marie Antoinette, the ousted queen of France, accidentally stepped on the executioner’s foot. Her polite apology before her execution in 1793 reflected her dignity and grace, even in the face of death.
Ludwig van Beethoven: “I shall hear in heaven.”
The renowned composer Beethoven, who spent much of his later life struggling with deafness, is reported to have said these hopeful words on his deathbed in 1827. This poignant remark reflects his passion for music and his hope for the afterlife.