Musicians & Composers · Modern
Ella Fitzgerald’s Last Words
“She died peacefully at home.”— Ella Fitzgerald, June 15, 1996
Who Was Ella Fitzgerald?
Ella Fitzgerald was an American jazz singer known as the First Lady of Song and Queen of Jazz, with a pure tone and impeccable diction across a six-decade career.
The Final Moments
Fitzgerald died at her home in Beverly Hills. Diabetes had led to the amputation of both legs below the knee.
Are These Words Verified?
Family and publicist confirmed she died peacefully at home with no dramatic final words. Contemporary accounts are consistent that her death was quiet and without last statements.
Sources
- firsthand Publicist statement
- firsthand Family statement
- newspaper Los Angeles Times, June 16, 1996
Legacy
Fitzgerald's Songbook recordings are the definitive interpretations of the Great American Songbook.
Frequently Asked Questions
What were Ella Fitzgerald’s last words?
“She died peacefully at home.”
How did Ella Fitzgerald die?
Ella Fitzgerald died on June 15, 1996 at the age of 79. Cause of death: Diabetes complications following stroke.
Were Ella Fitzgerald’s last words documented?
Family and publicist confirmed she died peacefully at home with no dramatic final words. Contemporary accounts are consistent that her death was quiet and without last statements.