Leaders & Politicians · Early 20th Century
Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Last Words
“I have a terrific headache.”— Franklin D. Roosevelt, April 12, 1945
Who Was Franklin D. Roosevelt?
Franklin D. Roosevelt served as the 32nd President, leading America through the Great Depression and most of World War II. He was the only U.S. president elected to four terms.
The Final Moments
FDR was sitting for a portrait at the Little White House in Warm Springs, Georgia, when he suddenly complained of this headache and lost consciousness.
Are These Words Verified?
Multiple people present at Warm Springs confirmed this statement, including the artist painting him, his cousin Daisy Suckley, and Lucy Mercer Rutherfurd. Well-documented by firsthand witnesses.
Sources
- firsthand Elizabeth Shoumatoff (portrait artist) memoir
- firsthand Daisy Suckley diary
- firsthand Dr. Howard Bruenn medical notes
Legacy
FDR's New Deal and wartime leadership are among the most consequential in American presidential history.
Frequently Asked Questions
What were Franklin D. Roosevelt’s last words?
“I have a terrific headache.”
How did Franklin D. Roosevelt die?
Franklin D. Roosevelt died on April 12, 1945 at the age of 63. Cause of death: Cerebral hemorrhage.
Were Franklin D. Roosevelt’s last words documented?
Multiple people present at Warm Springs confirmed this statement, including the artist painting him, his cousin Daisy Suckley, and Lucy Mercer Rutherfurd. Well-documented by firsthand witnesses.
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