The world has lost a beacon of conservation and science. Dr. Jane Goodall, the renowned primatologist who transformed our understanding of chimpanzees, passed away on October 1, 2025, at the age of 91. Although she carried an impressive professional legacy, her personal journey—marked by two marriages and a fierce sense of autonomy—reflected a woman who lived entirely on her own terms.

Who Was Jane Goodall’s First Husband?

Her first marriage was to Baron Hugo van Lawick—a Dutch nobleman known for his wildlife photography and filmmaking—an alliance born in the raw beauty of the African wilderness.

How did Jane Goodall and Baron Hugo van Lawick meet?

National Geographic sent van Lawick to Gombe, Tanzania, to document the young researcher’s groundbreaking work with chimpanzees. They were

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