Leonardo DiCaprio got emotional while remembering his close friend and wildlife legend, Dr. Jane Goodall. Speaking at her memorial service in Washington, D.C., the actor shared a touching story that’s now melting hearts online.
He began by saying that most people knew Jane as an icon, but to him, she was warm, funny, and full of energy. “She could light up any room with her stories,” DiCaprio said. “She made everyone believe they could do something good for the planet.”
Then he shared one of his favorite memories with her. It happened when they were about to take a photo together. “I looked straight into the camera,” he said. “When I turned to her, she was looking right at me instead of the lens.” When he asked her why, Jane simply replied that she liked connecting with people more than posing for pictures.
DiCaprio smiled as he told the crowd that this small moment said everything about her. “She cared about people and purpose, not about attention,” he said.
Jane Goodall passed away earlier this month at the age of 91. She spent her life studying chimpanzees and fighting for the environment. Even in her later years, she continued traveling and speaking around the world to spread hope and awareness.
In his speech, DiCaprio called her an inspiration and said she always believed in taking action instead of losing hope. “She taught us that kindness and compassion can truly change the world,” he said.
