Before the age of the internet, famous last words were immortalized in journals, books, and through word of mouth. But now that we document every single moment of our lives on the web, you’re much more likely to find the last words of celebrities right where you’d expect them: on Twitter.
These may not be their official last words, but they are the last public statements these celebrities ever made. Their last tweets offer snapshots into the final moments of their famous lives.
Some famous people, like Maya Angelou and Leonard Nimoy, left last tweets that perfectly encapsulate their spirits and legacies. Others, like Billy Mays and Reeva Steenkamp (the woman slain by “Blade Runner” Oscar Pistorius), tweeted final words that chillingly foreshadowed their doomed futures.
Some of the famous people on this list are celebrities who passed unexpectedly, while others took their own lives or suffered long illnesses. Whether these passed celebrities’ last tweets were promoting upcoming shows, making jokes, or sending love to their family members, they’re the last words fans will ever get to read. Rest in peace.
