Einstein’s Final Days
Albert Einstein died on April 18, 1955, at age seventy-six. His death was mourned by family, friends, colleagues, and the world at large.
Einstein had suffered from abdominal pain for decades. In 1948, he underwent exploratory surgery that revealed a large aortic aneurysm. The surgeon, Dr. Rudolph Nissen, wrapped the bulging blood vessel with cellophane to stimulate scar tissue to reinforce the weakened vessel. The operation added over six years, mostly pain-free, to Einstein’s life.
On April 12, 1955, Einstein experienced severe abdominal pain that intensified the following day. At first, he refused hospitalization but soon agreed to be admitted to Princeton Hospital to avoid being a burden at home. Einstein’s aneurysm was in the early stage of rupturing. He refused another surgery, knowing that he would soon die without it, saying: “I want to go when I want. It is tasteless to prolong life artificially. I have done my share, it is time to go. I will do it elegantly.”
Early in the morning of April 18, 1955, the aneurysm finally ruptured. Einstein uttered his last words in German—which his English-speaking night nurse did not understand—and his extraordinary life ended.
The day after he died, the New York Times published Einstein’s obituary at the top of the front page. His picture appeared prominently over two columns, under the headline, “Dr. Einstein Dies in Sleep at 76.” The Times obituary noted,
“As the years passed, the figure of Einstein the man became more and more remote, while that of Einstein the legend came ever nearer to the masses of mankind. . . . ‘Saintly,’ ‘noble’ and ‘lovable’ were the words used to describe him by those who knew him even casually. He radiated humor, warmth and kindliness. He loved jokes and laughed easily. “Princeton residents would see him walk in their midst, a familiar figure, yet a stranger, a close neighbor, yet at the same time a visitor from another world. And as he grew older his otherworldiness became more pronounced, yet his human warmth did not diminish.”
Einstein’s Views on Death, God, and Religion
In confronting his impending death, as throughout his life, Albert Einstein desired autonomy and dignity. He approached his final days serenely, accepting the natural cycle of life and death. Despite being in pain, Einstein’s intellectual curiosity remained undimmed. During his last days in Princeton Hospital, he continued with his life’s work, including a speech to commemorate the State of Israel’s seventh anniversary. He also found moments to engage in philosophical discussions with family and friends, reflecting on the mysteries of the universe.
Einstein’s quest in life had been the pursuit of truth. To him, striving for a deeper understanding of the universe was a way to transcend one’s limitations and connect with the eternal. Einstein’s quest for truth was not limited to the scientific realm. He also pondered ethical and philosophical questions, emphasizing the importance of freedom, individual responsibility, and the pursuit of peace. He wrote, “Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile,” reflecting his belief in the interconnectedness of all people and the value of contributing to the greater good.
Einstein believed the commonly held fear of death was unwarranted. He said, “The fear of death is the most unjustified of all fears, for there’s no risk of accident for someone who’s dead.” He believed in the continuity of existence through the generations: “Our death is not an end if we can live on in our children and the younger generation. For they are us; our bodies are only wilted leaves on the tree of life.”
The way Einstein approached his imminent death was consistent with his religious beliefs. Einstein’s statements range from acknowledging profound awe towards the universe’s mysteries to rejecting traditional notions of a personal God who intervenes in the affairs of individuals. He said, “I cannot imagine a God who rewards and punishes the objects of his creation, whose purposes are modeled after our own—a God, in short, who is but a reflection of human frailty.”
Einstein’s concept of God reveals a mind that revered the mystery and order of the universe while remaining skeptical of human constructs of the divine. To him, God embodied the totality of the laws of the universe. He summarized his view: “My religion consists of a humble admiration of the illimitable superior spirit who reveals himself in the slight details we are able to perceive with our frail and feeble mind.”
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Note: The images printed in Einstein: The Man and His Mind are exact copies of the original photos. The images are printed on photographic quality paper that is spot varnished. This technique reproduces the originals as accurately as possible. The exceptional quality control adhered to by the publisher is an essential feature of the book. It permits the reader to share the experience as if viewing the actual photographs in this private collection.
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