Chavez last words: "Please don't let me die"

Sad final words from the the Venezuelan leader who begged to keep living

Published March 7, 2013 10:34PM (EST)

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez speaks during a nationally televised speech in the Presidential Palace of Miraflores in Caracas, Venezuela, Monday, April 26, 1999.          (AP/Fernando Llano)
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez speaks during a nationally televised speech in the Presidential Palace of Miraflores in Caracas, Venezuela, Monday, April 26, 1999. (AP/Fernando Llano)

According to reports from a Venezuelan general, as Hugo Chavez passed away, he whispered, "I don't want to die. Please don't let me die."

Gen. Jose Ornella told the AP that the president's last words indicated how much "he loved his country" and wanted to keep living for it. Regardless of one's opinion of the leader, his plea for life in his final moment is stirring, if not out of keeping with the strong political figure he cut.

His last words inspired us to recall some other famous and infamous last utterances -- the stuff of fact and legend:

[slide_show id=13221932]


By Natasha Lennard

Natasha Lennard is an assistant news editor at Salon, covering non-electoral politics, general news and rabble-rousing. Follow her on Twitter @natashalennard, email nlennard@salon.com.

MORE FROM Natasha Lennard


Related Topics ------------------------------------------

Death Hugo Chavez Last Words Obituary Slideshow Venezuela