Artists & Writers · 20th Century
F. Scott Fitzgerald’s Last Words
“Unknown — he collapsed from a heart attack.”— F. Scott Fitzgerald, December 21, 1940
Who Was F. Scott Fitzgerald?
F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote The Great Gatsby, the defining novel of the Jazz Age. His glamorous life with wife Zelda embodied the Roaring Twenties before alcoholism and disillusionment took their toll.
The Final Moments
Fitzgerald collapsed at the apartment of his companion Sheilah Graham in Hollywood while eating a candy bar and reading a newspaper. He had believed himself a failure — The Great Gatsby had sold poorly.
Are These Words Verified?
Sheilah Graham was present when Fitzgerald suddenly collapsed from a heart attack. She documented the event immediately and consistently reported he died without speaking final words.
Sources
- firsthand Sheilah Graham's eyewitness account
- biography Graham's memoir The Real F. Scott Fitzgerald
- archive Medical records
Legacy
The Great Gatsby is now the quintessential American novel. Fitzgerald's reputation was fully restored posthumously after decades of obscurity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What were F. Scott Fitzgerald’s last words?
“Unknown — he collapsed from a heart attack.”
How did F. Scott Fitzgerald die?
F. Scott Fitzgerald died on December 21, 1940 at the age of 44. Cause of death: Heart attack.
Were F. Scott Fitzgerald’s last words documented?
Sheilah Graham was present when Fitzgerald suddenly collapsed from a heart attack. She documented the event immediately and consistently reported he died without speaking final words.
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