1. George Washington: “Tis well.”
The first president of the United States, George Washington, passed away on December 14, 1799. His final words, “Tis well,” reflect a peaceful acceptance of his life and the responsibilities he carried. Washington’s calm and serene demeanor in his final moments underscore his legacy as a leader who carefully shaped the nation’s foundation.
2. John Adams: “Thomas Jefferson survives.”
John Adams, the second president, passed away on July 4, 1826, exactly 50 years after the Declaration of Independence was signed. His final words, “Thomas Jefferson survives,” were poignant, as he spoke of his friend and rival, Thomas Jefferson. Ironically, Jefferson passed away earlier that day, making Adams’s last words even more tragic and symbolic.
3. Thomas Jefferson: “Is it the Fourth?”
Thomas Jefferson, the third president, also passed away on July 4, 1826. His last words were reportedly, “Is it the Fourth?” Given his pivotal role in the birth of the nation, Jefferson’s final question is deeply symbolic, as though he wanted to ensure the country he helped create was still thriving on the anniversary of its independence.
4. James Madison: “Nothing more than a mere trifle.”
James Madison, the fourth president, passed away on June 28, 1836. His final words, “Nothing more than a mere trifle,” reflect the calm and modest nature he was known for. Madison’s understated exit reminds us that, despite the grand legacy of the Constitution he helped write, he was always a humble figure at heart.
5. James Monroe: “I regret that I am about to leave you.”
James Monroe, the fifth president, died on July 4, 1831. His last words, “I regret that I am about to leave you,” reflect a sense of sadness about leaving his loved ones behind. Monroe’s passing on the same day as Jefferson and Adams makes his death even more poignant.
6. John Quincy Adams: “This is the last of Earth. I am content.”
John Quincy Adams, the sixth president, passed away on February 23, 1848, after suffering a stroke in the U.S. Capitol. His final words, “This is the last of Earth. I am content,” reflect his peace with the end of his life. His quiet acceptance of death was fitting for a man who had lived a life full of diplomatic and public service.
7. Andrew Jackson: “I hope to meet you all in heaven.”
Andrew Jackson, the seventh president, passed away on June 8, 1845. His last words, “I hope to meet you all in heaven,” show a side of Jackson that was deeply spiritual. Despite his controversial and often aggressive nature, Jackson’s final words expressed hope and comfort for his family and those around him.
8. Martin Van Buren: “There is a great deal of comfort in the contemplation of the hereafter.”
Martin Van Buren, the eighth president, died on July 24, 1862. His final words, “There is a great deal of comfort in the contemplation of the hereafter,” reflect his calm and philosophical outlook on death. Van Buren had seen much in his life, including the Panic of 1837, and his final thoughts reveal his acceptance of mortality.
9. William Henry Harrison: “I wish you to understand the true principles of government. I wish them to be carried out.”
William Henry Harrison, the ninth president, died on April 4, 1841, only a month into his presidency. His final words, “I wish you to understand the true principles of government. I wish them to be carried out,” reflect his dedication to principles of governance and his deep belief in integrity. His death, from an acute illness, was sudden and tragic.
10. John Tyler: “I am a mere shell of my former self.”
John Tyler, the tenth president, passed away on January 18, 1862. His last words, “I am a mere shell of my former self,” reflect his decline in health, both physically and mentally. Tyler had served as president after Harrison’s death, and his words illustrate the frailty of life, even for someone who had held the highest office in the land.
11. James K. Polk: “I love you, Sarah.”
James K. Polk, the 11th president, died on June 15, 1849, just months after leaving office. His final words, “I love you, Sarah,” were spoken to his wife, Sarah Polk. His presidency was marked by territorial expansion, and his last words are a tender reflection of his love for his partner in life.
12. Zachary Taylor: “I have no pain.”
Zachary Taylor, the 12th president, died on July 9, 1850, after a sudden illness. His final words, “I have no pain,” were spoken shortly before he passed away. These words, simple and calm, reflect his peaceful end after a brief time in office during a period of tension over slavery in the United States.
13. Millard Fillmore: “I am a man of a few words.”
Millard Fillmore, the 13th president, passed away on March 8, 1874. His final words, “I am a man of a few words,” reflect his reserved and straightforward character. Known for his pragmatic leadership during his presidency, Fillmore’s brief statement at the end of his life was a fitting tribute to his nature.
14. Franklin Pierce: “I am afraid I am going to die.”
Franklin Pierce, the 14th president, passed away on October 8, 1869. His final words, “I am afraid I am going to die,” show a moment of vulnerability and fear. Pierce had suffered significant personal tragedies during his life, and these words capture the emotional weight of his final moments.
15. James Buchanan: “I trust in God I am going to a better place.”
James Buchanan, the 15th president, died on June 1, 1868. His final words, “I trust in God I am going to a better place,” reflect his deep faith and offer a sense of peace at the end of his life. Buchanan had led the nation through some of its darkest moments, including the lead-up to the Civil War, but his faith provided him comfort as he approached death.
16. Abraham Lincoln: “This is the last of Earth. I am content.”
Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president, died after being shot on April 15, 1865. His final words, “This is the last of Earth. I am content,” were spoken as he lay dying in Ford’s Theatre. Lincoln’s words reflect a man who had endured unimaginable struggles to preserve the Union and abolish slavery. His acceptance of death was calm and peaceful, knowing his work had been done.
17. Andrew Johnson: “I don’t know, ma’am.”
Andrew Johnson, the 17th president, passed away on July 31, 1875. His final words, “I don’t know, ma’am,” were reportedly spoken to his wife when she asked about his condition. These words reflect the confusion and uncertainty often associated with death, even for a man who had presided over the Reconstruction era.
18. Ulysses S. Grant: “I have had a very good time.”
Ulysses S. Grant, the 18th president, passed away on July 23, 1885, after battling cancer. His final words, “I have had a very good time,” reflect a sense of contentment. Grant’s life was filled with triumphs and struggles, but his final thoughts suggest peace and satisfaction with his remarkable legacy.
19. Rutherford B. Hayes: “I know that I am going to be with Jesus.”
Rutherford B. Hayes, the 19th president, passed away on January 17, 1893. His last words, “I know that I am going to be with Jesus,” reflect his strong Christian faith. Hayes’s deep spirituality and commitment to moral values shaped both his presidency and his final moments.
20. James A. Garfield: “I am not dead yet.”
James A. Garfield, the 20th president, was assassinated in 1881 and died from his wounds after several weeks of suffering. His last words, “I am not dead yet,” were spoken when a doctor commented on his condition. Garfield’s words reflect his determination to live, even after the trauma of being shot.
21. Chester A. Arthur: “I don’t know, but I think I am going to die.”
Chester A. Arthur, the 21st president, passed away on November 18, 1886. His last words, “I don’t know, but I think I am going to die,” reflect the uncertainty that accompanies death. Arthur, who had lived a life of quiet service, faced his final moments with acceptance.
22. Grover Cleveland: “I have had a good time.”
Grover Cleveland, the 22nd and 24th president, passed away on June 24, 1908. His final words, “I have had a good time,” reflect a life lived with a sense of satisfaction. Cleveland had navigated difficult economic times, but his final thoughts indicate a man at peace with his legacy.
23. Benjamin Harrison: “I am so glad to see you.”
Benjamin Harrison, the 23rd president, passed away on March 13, 1901. His last words, “I am so glad to see you,” were spoken to his wife, Caroline. These loving words reflect Harrison’s deep affection for his family, even in his final moments.
24. William McKinley: “Goodbye, all. It is God’s way. His will be done.”
William McKinley, the 25th president, was assassinated on September 6, 1901. His final words, “Goodbye, all. It is God’s way. His will be done,” reflect McKinley’s faith and acceptance of his fate. He met his end with grace, even after an attempted assassination left him mortally wounded.
25. Theodore Roosevelt: “I’ve had a bully time.”
Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th president, passed away on January 6, 1919. His last words, “I’ve had a bully time,” reflect the energetic and adventurous spirit that defined his life. Roosevelt’s final words were a reflection of a life well-lived, filled with adventure, public service, and a love for the country.
26. William Howard Taft: “I don’t remember.”
William Howard Taft, the 27th president, passed away on March 8, 1930. His last words, “I don’t remember,” were reportedly spoken when asked about his condition. These words are often seen as a sign of the confusion that can come with old age, but they reflect the vulnerability all humans share, regardless of their position.
27. Woodrow Wilson: “I am not afraid.”
Woodrow Wilson, the 28th president, passed away on February 3, 1924. His last words, “I am not afraid,” reflect his quiet strength and determination. Wilson’s presidency was marked by global challenges, and his final words suggest peace in the face of his health struggles.
28. Warren G. Harding: “That’s good. Go on, then.”
Warren G. Harding, the 29th president, passed away on August 2, 1923. His final words, “That’s good. Go on, then,” were spoken to his wife shortly before he succumbed to a heart attack. Harding’s passing was sudden, and his final words were a simple acknowledgment of his life’s quiet end.
29. Calvin Coolidge: “Good morning, Robert.”
Calvin Coolidge, the 30th president, passed away on January 5, 1933. His last words, “Good morning, Robert,” were spoken to his son. These quiet, everyday words reflected Coolidge’s unassuming nature and the simplicity with which he lived his life.
30. Herbert Hoover: “I’ve lost my strength.”
Herbert Hoover, the 31st president, passed away on October 20, 1964. His final words, “I’ve lost my strength,” reflected the decline he felt after a lifetime of public service. Hoover’s presidency, marked by the Great Depression, ended with a moment of vulnerability.
31. Franklin D. Roosevelt: “I have a terrific headache.”
Franklin D. Roosevelt, the 32nd president, passed away on April 12, 1945. His final words, “I have a terrific headache,” were spoken before he suffered a fatal stroke. Roosevelt’s death came at a critical time during World War II, and these words reflect the toll of his years of leadership.
32. Harry S. Truman: “I have had a good time.”
Harry S. Truman, the 33rd president, passed away on December 26, 1972. His final words, “I have had a good time,” reflect the satisfaction Truman felt at the end of his life. Despite his humble beginnings and challenging presidency, Truman seemed at peace with his accomplishments.
33. John F. Kennedy: “No, you certainly can’t.”
John F. Kennedy, the 35th president, was assassinated on November 22, 1963. His last words, “No, you certainly can’t,” were spoken to Jacqueline Kennedy before he was shot. Kennedy’s life was tragically cut short, but his final words remain a poignant reminder of how quickly life can change.
34. Lyndon B. Johnson: “I’m going to die.”
Lyndon B. Johnson, the 36th president, passed away on January 22, 1973. His final words, “I’m going to die,” reflect his acceptance of death. Johnson had faced a presidency filled with great turmoil, from the Civil Rights Movement to the Vietnam War, and his last words show he was ready to move on from the stress of his public life.
35. Richard Nixon: “I am a crook.”
Richard Nixon, the 37th president, passed away on April 22, 1994. His last words, “I am a crook,” were reportedly spoken as a confession of his involvement in the Watergate scandal. Nixon’s presidency ended in disgrace, but his final words spoke to the internal conflict he likely felt as he faced his legacy.
36. Gerald Ford: “I’m in good shape.”
Gerald Ford, the 38th president, passed away on December 26, 2006. His final words, “I’m in good shape,” reflect the healthy and active lifestyle Ford led. His passing at the age of 93 was peaceful and was a fitting end for a man who had lived a long and active life.
37. Ronald Reagan: “I love you.”
Ronald Reagan, the 40th president, passed away on June 5, 2004. His final words, “I love you,” were spoken to his wife, Nancy. Reagan’s gentle farewell was in keeping with his warm, charismatic personality and his deep love for his family.
38. George H.W. Bush: “I love you too.”
George H.W. Bush, the 41st president, passed away on November 30, 2018. His last words, “I love you too,” were spoken to his son, George W. Bush. These words marked a loving and peaceful farewell from a man who had devoted much of his life to public service.
