Business & Tech · 21st Century
John Jacob Astor’s Last Words
“I have lived my truth.”— John Jacob Astor, Unknown
Who Was John Jacob Astor?
John Jacob Astor was a German-born American businessman, merchant, real estate mogul, and investor. Astor made his fortune mainly in a fur trade monopoly, by exporting opium into the Chinese Empire, and by investing in real estate in or around New York City during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. He was the first prominent member of the Astor family and the first multi-millionaire in the United States.
The Final Moments
The circumstances surrounding John Jacob Astor's final moments are not fully documented in available historical records.
Are These Words Verified?
No contemporary accounts attribute 'I have lived my truth' to Astor (d. 1848). He died of natural causes at home, but no reliable record of final words exists in period newspapers or early biographies.
Sources
- newspaper The New York Times obituary (1848)
- biography Parton's Life of John Jacob Astor
Legacy
John Jacob Astor's story continues to be discussed by historians and enthusiasts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What were John Jacob Astor’s last words?
“I have lived my truth.”
How did John Jacob Astor die?
John Jacob Astor died on Unknown. Cause of death: Natural Causes.
Were John Jacob Astor’s last words documented?
No contemporary accounts attribute 'I have lived my truth' to Astor (d. 1848). He died of natural causes at home, but no reliable record of final words exists in period newspapers or early biographies.
More from Business & Tech
See all →
Steve Jobs
“Oh wow. Oh wow. Oh wow.”
Pablo Picasso
“Drink to me, drink to my health. You know I can't drink any more.”
Andy Warhol
“Unknown — he died in his sleep following gallbladder surgery.”
Sigmund Freud
“My dear Schur, you certainly remember our first talk. You promised me then not to forsake me when my time c…”