Gloria Steinem’s Final Message Takes on New Meaning After Her Death at 92

Gloria Steinem opened up about her extraordinary life, feminist legacy and hopes for the future in a powerful conversation recorded months before her death.

The legendary feminist, journalist and author died on Sept. 2 at the age of 92. Her final reflections appear in Netflix’s Famous Last Words: Gloria Steinem, filmed in February 2025 with executive producer Brad Falchuk.

During the conversation, Steinem looked back on her decades-long fight for equality, her personal life, her family and the challenges within the feminist movement.

“I hope I wasn’t the face of the feminist movement,” Steinem told Falchuk, explaining that the movement was always much larger and more diverse than any one person.

She also reflected on her fame, suggesting that her longevity played a major role.

“My fame has more to do with endurance,” she said, emphasizing that she had simply remained committed to the cause for so many years.

Despite reflecting on her own mortality, Steinem remained hopeful about the future.

“I don’t lose all hope in the future,” she said, adding that there was still plenty of work to be done to create a more compassionate world.

Steinem’s remarkable career included co-founding the National Women’s Political Caucus and launching Ms. magazine in 1971. She authored numerous books and hundreds of essays throughout her life.

Her final book, An Unexpected Life, is scheduled to be published posthumously on Sept. 22.

In the Netflix special, Steinem also spoke candidly about what she hoped to leave behind.

“I just hope that I have — however accidentally — left behind some words, or actions, or stories, or something that is useful to the people,” she said.

When asked how she wanted to be remembered, Steinem offered a simple but powerful answer: as someone who tried to make the world “a little more equal, compassionate, joyful, funny.”

Falchuk said Steinem remained committed to her message until the very end.

“Gloria Steinem was the steady heartbeat of a revolution,” he said in a statement. “Even in her final moments, she was organizing us, challenging us to keep moving forward.”

Her final message to viewers was equally focused on connection and storytelling.

“Please tell your own story,” Steinem said. “This is the most important thing we can do for each other — to know each other through stories.”

She encouraged people to embrace their individuality and pursue the things they love.

Steinem’s family announced her death, saying she died peacefully at her home in New York City, surrounded by people who loved her.

Her family described her ability to listen and make others feel seen and heard as one of her greatest gifts, adding that she continued writing and connecting with others during her final years.

She also hosted hundreds of guests at her home for “Talking Circles,” a tradition her family says will continue after her death.

Famous Last Words: Gloria Steinem is now available to stream on Netflix.