Supermodel Gisele Bündchen paid tribute to the late Dr. Jane Goodall, the world’s foremost primatologist, following news of her passing on October 1, 2025, at age 91. Goodall, whose research with chimpanzees in Gombe, Tanzania, spanned more than six decades, changed science forever.

In 1965, she completed a PhD thesis at Cambridge on the behavior of wild chimpanzees despite never having earned a bachelor’s degree, according to her institute’s memorial page. During the course of her work, she wrote 32 books. It was a flood of mourning, as leaders, celebrities and organizations worldwide commemorated her career.

On Instagram, the legendary NFL Tom Brady‘s ex-wife Bündchen wrote: “What a privilege it was to have met such an extraordinary woman. Jane Goodall’s passion for animals, our planet, and living with such heart was truly inspiring. She touched countless lives with her wisdom and kindness and will be deeply missed. Her light and legacy will shine on forever. Thank you, Jane, for changing the world and for being such a bright light. ❤️”

Institutions also weighed in. The UN, where Goodall had served as a Messenger of Peace since 2002, issued a statement praising her lifelong fight for conservation.

“Today, the UN family mourns the loss of Dr. Jane Goodall. The scientist, conservationist and UN Messenger of Peace worked tirelessly for our planet and all its inhabitants, leaving an extraordinary legacy for humanity and nature.”

Leaders like Canada’s Justin Trudeau and former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton pointed to her ability to expand humanity’s understanding of the natural world while pushing to preserve it for generations.

Goodall’s own story began in London in 1934. Inspired by Doctor Dolittle and Tarzan as a child, she dreamed of working with animals in Africa. She immigrated to Kenya at the age of 23, and Louis Leakey hired her to work in Gombe National Park in Tanzania to study chimpanzees. Her observations overturned long-held beliefs, showing that chimpanzees not only used tools but also displayed intricate emotions.

This led to the formation of the Jane Goodall Institute in 1977, and subsequently the youth program Roots and Shoots, which mobilized thousands of young environmental leaders across the globe. Her work also motivated many women to join STEM disciplines over the decades.

She remained active into her 80s and 90s, cautioning that the planet was in danger due to climate change. PBS Nature will air a two-hour documentary, Matriarch, in 2026 to honor her life and work.

Gisele Bündchen joins global tributes to Jane Goodall

Her words became a part of a chorus of tributes. Leonardo DiCaprio, a fellow UN Messenger of Peace, remembered Goodall as “a true hero for the planet, an inspiration to millions, and a dear friend.” He added, “My last message to Jane was simple: ‘You are my hero.’ Now, we all must carry the torch for her in protecting our one shared home.”

Others followed with their own memories. Jane Fonda praised her for showing the world “the richness of animal lives.” Michael Douglas, also a Messenger of Peace, called her legacy “unwavering.” Al Roker described her as a “gentle soul but a fierce champion.” Julia Louis-Dreyfus said she was “so blessed and so grateful to have crossed paths with this wise giant.” Maria Shriver, who presented Goodall with a Minerva Award in 2009, mourned the loss of “someone I adored.”

In a life filled with honors, a few stood out as milestones even for someone of her stature. In 2003, she was made Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) during a ceremony at Buckingham Palace. Earlier this year, she received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the United States’ highest civilian honor.

Her influence extended beyond the field and lecture halls. In 2022, Mattel honored her legacy with the release of a Jane Goodall Barbie doll. It was timed to mark the 62nd anniversary of her first steps into the Gombe reserve.

Even as accolades stacked up, slowing down never seemed to be part of her vocabulary. In her 90th year, she still logged an astonishing 300 days on the road, delivering talks and meeting communities across the world. That relentless drive carried her to the very end.