Nikole Stewart
History is full of weird moments. From weird science experiments to strange gadgets, looking through history can leave us more confused than ever. And that doesn’t stop at death. We’ve found some of the weirdest last words from historical figures. From unfortunate, and outright sad words, to just bizarre sentences, let’s dive into some of the weirdest last words from historical figures.
5. Vincent van Gogh
The well-known artist, known for his work including The Starry Night and Sunflowers, had one of the saddest last words. Considered to be one of the greatest Post-Impressionist painters, van Gogh was also known for struggling with his mental health. During a breakdown in 1888, he actually cut off part of his ear. Though his career was short, lasting only a decade, he created some of the most beloved pieces. However, his last words are daunting. Said to his brother, Gogh said: “La tristesse durera toujours,” which translates to “The sadness will last forever.”
4. Albert Einstein
The reason Albert Einstein is on the list of weirdest last words from historical figures is that it’s a huge mystery. Einstein is one of the most brilliant individuals in history, and left behind a legacy in our understanding of the universe as well as influences in modern physics. He was also a native German speaker, yet spent most of his life in English-speaking countries. Though he never gave up his language, and once famously said: “If you want to understand me, you must understand my German.” But that also means that his last words are not known, because his last words were in German, and his nurse, who was taking care of him during his final days, never understood what he said.
3. Leonardo da Vinci
Like van Gogh, another one of the most unfortunate last words from historical figures goes to Leonardo da Vinci. The influential Renaissance artist, known for some of the most well-known pieces in the world, including Mona Lisa and The Last Supper, was a notorious perfectionist. Even on his deathbed, he contemplated how his work just wasn’t good enough. His last words reflected that as well, with him saying: “I have offended God and mankind because my work did not reach the quality it should have.”
2. Winston Churchill
The former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom is on the list of weirdest last words from historical figures. Considered to be one of the most influential and important figures in history, and often said to be the greatest prime minister, Churchill lived a long life. Unfortunately, he died at the age of 90, having dealt with eight strokes in his lifetime. His last words were to his son-in-law, where he said: “I’m bored with it all.”
1. Augustus
Augustus, also known as Octavian, was the founder and first emperor of the Roman Empire, and is at the top of the list of strangest last words from historical figures. During his reign, he seized control and annexed Egypt after the fall of the kingdom under Cleopatra and his former lieutenant, Mark Antony. According to some sources, his last words publicy was: “I found Rome of clay; I leave it to you of marble.” But his last words, said privately, had been: “Have I played the part well? Then applaud, as I exit,” which compares the role he had to play as emperor to the theater.