Oscar-winning actor Leonardo DiCaprio delivered a moving tribute to conservationist Jane Goodall at her funeral Wednesday at the Washington National Cathedral. DiCaprio, who turned 51 the day before, called his dear friend "an extraordinary woman who changed not only the world, but so many of us in it."
Goodall, the world's leading expert on chimpanzee behavior, died in October at age 91. DiCaprio described her unique approach to environmentalism: «When most of us think about environmental issues, we tend to dwell on destruction and loss, and I'll admit it's something I've always struggled with myself, but Jane led with hope always.» He added: «She never lingered in despair. She focused on what could be done.»
The actor shared personal memories of their friendship, recalling late-night conversations about politics and biodiversity. «Most people knew her as Jane Goodall, the icon, the legend. But the Jane I was fortunate enough to get to know was gentle, curious, funny, witty and absolutely unstoppable,» DiCaprio said. He fondly remembered: «Every laugh, every whiskey we shared, and every time I got to spend time talking with my dear friend.»
Pioneering Legacy
Goodall's groundbreaking research in Tanzania, which began in 1960, revolutionized understanding of chimpanzees at a time when it was unconventional for women to venture into African wilds. She later founded the Jane Goodall Institute in 1977 to protect species and support youth environmental projects through the Roots And Shoots charity. Both Goodall and DiCaprio served as UN Messengers of Peace.
DiCaprio concluded his tribute with a call to action, quoting Goodall's belief that «every day that we live, we can make an impact on the planet.» He urged attendees: «May we all honour her by carrying forward that same fierce belief that we can do better, that we must do better, and that we have a responsibility to protect this beautiful natural world we all share.» The ceremony included readings by Goodall's grandchildren and a dog salute performed by therapy dog-handler teams.
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
