Explorers & Adventurers · Renaissance
Hernán Cortés’s Last Words
“I am dying. My soul I leave to God, my body to the earth, and my worldly goods to my son.”— Hernán Cortés, December 2, 1547
Who Was Hernán Cortés?
Hernán Cortés conquered the Aztec Empire with a small force of Spanish soldiers and Indigenous allies, claiming Mexico for Spain. His conquest destroyed one of the world's great civilizations.
The Final Moments
Cortés died near Seville, Spain, largely forgotten and embittered. He had spent years in legal battles trying to reclaim his titles and wealth.
Are These Words Verified?
These words appear in early biographies written shortly after Cortés's death, including accounts by those who knew him. However, no contemporary witnesses left firsthand written accounts of the specific deathbed scene.
Sources
- biography Francisco López de Gómara biography
- biography Bernal Díaz del Castillo chronicles
Legacy
Cortés's conquest of Mexico is one of the most consequential events in world history, beginning the Spanish colonization of the Americas.
Frequently Asked Questions
What were Hernán Cortés’s last words?
“I am dying. My soul I leave to God, my body to the earth, and my worldly goods to my son.”
How did Hernán Cortés die?
Hernán Cortés died on December 2, 1547 at the age of 62. Cause of death: Pleurisy.
Were Hernán Cortés’s last words documented?
These words appear in early biographies written shortly after Cortés's death, including accounts by those who knew him. However, no contemporary witnesses left firsthand written accounts of the specific deathbed scene.
More from Explorers & Adventurers
See all →Marie Curie
“I cannot express it.”
Nikola Tesla
“Unknown — he died alone.”
Isaac Newton
“I don't know what I may seem to the world. But as to myself I seem to have been only like a boy playing on …”
Christopher Columbus
“Into Thy hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.”