Would you like your most recent tweet to be the last stamp you leave on the virtual world?
Although our tweets are by no means the most important things we will leave behind, sometimes they can be the most poignant.
This is no better illustrated than with the final tweets of deceased public figures, who sometimes inadvertently leave their fans with lasting messages after their deaths, ranging from the chilling to the heart-warming.
Amy Winehouse, singer (1983-2011)
As in the tragic case of Amy Winehouse’s untimely death, some final tweets can give a snapshot insight into the psychological states of some of our most loved icons.
oinka oikna oinka why you awake
— Amy Winehouse (@amyjademermaid) July 22, 2011
Paul Walker, actor (1973-2013)
Sometimes, family and friends of celebrities who passed away keep their social media presences live in order to promote foundations and fundraising platforms set up in their names.
Paul Walker, on the promotional tour for Fast and Furious 7, tweeted this photo of him and his fellow cast members before he was killed in a car crash.
The boys are back. Will you be ready? – #TeamPW #FastFridays (Photo Credit: http://t.co/kkce2shzvM) pic.twitter.com/RDnrDBGs2n
— Paul Walker (@RealPaulWalker) November 30, 2013
Eerily, just a day earlier, he retweeted the Fast and Furious franchise account, saying ‘When you live fast there’s no definite set of rules’.
#FastFridays RT @FastFurious: When you #LiveFast, there's no definite set of rules. http://t.co/0c4ig6vm2F
— Paul Walker (@RealPaulWalker) November 29, 2013
Robin Williams, actor (1951-2014)
Some Twitter accounts are deleted by the family after their loss.
Robin Williams’s final tweet left final warm wishes to his daughter Zelda on her birthday.
Reeva Steenkamp, model (1983-2013)
Some last tweets, with the horror of hindsight are utterly haunting. Take this message from Reeva Steenkamp, the South African model who was fatally shot by her boyfriend Oscar Pistorius.
What do you have up your sleeve for your love tomorrow??? #getexcited #ValentinesDay
— Reeva Steenkamp (@reevasteenkamp) February 13, 2013
On the same day, she also retweeted a message raising awareness that hopes to end violence against women.
WEAR BLACK THIS FRIDAY IN SUPPORT AGAINST #RAPE AND WOMAN ABUSE #BLACKFRIDAY
— Lindiwe Suttle (@lindiwesuttle) February 13, 2013
Michael Clarke Duncan, actor (1957-2012)
Some celebrities share fleeting moments of joy with their fans, allowing us to remember them well.
SILVA WINS!!!!!!!
— MichaelClarkeDuncan (@OfficialMCD) July 8, 2012
Ryan Dunn, stunt performer and actor (1977-2011)
Ryan Dunn’s last tweet, which promoted his then new series, illustrates how the young Jackass star was taken too early in the prime of his career.
Premier of proving ground tonight at 8 on G4 http://tumblr.com/xxt2zz0obm
— Ryan Dunn (@ryandunntv) June 14, 2011
Leonard Nimoy, actor (1931-2015)
The Star Trek actor left us with some poignant words.
A life is like a garden. Perfect moments can be had, but not preserved, except in memory. LLAP
— Leonard Nimoy (@TheRealNimoy) February 23, 2015
Joan Rivers, comedian (1933-2014)
Joan Rivers, the iconic comedian made us all laugh with her last tweet.
A man reportedly got his finger bitten off at a Beyoncé concert! The shocking twist: It wasn't Jay Z's finger and it wasn't by Solange.
— Joan Rivers (@Joan_Rivers) August 27, 2014
Gene Wilder, actor (1933-2016)
The actor joined Twitter in 2013, and only ever sent four tweets, explaining that he was new to the social media hype. Wilder’s Twitter bio reads, ‘Too old for twitter, too young to die!’
I had a fruit salad as a mid morning snack.
— Gene Wilder (@OfficalGene) August 1, 2013
I'm sure I'll get the hang of this eventually.
— Gene Wilder (@OfficalGene) August 1, 2013
Muhammed Ali, boxer and activist (1942-2016)
The folks behind Muhammed Ali’s Twitter account shared a photo of The Champ, taken from ringside, just one day before his struggle with Parkinson’s came to its sad end.
Ringside seats to see the Champ. #MuhammadAli pic.twitter.com/SDJNE7i48b
— Muhammad Ali (@MuhammadAli) May 31, 2016
However, using the hashtag #AliTweets, The Champ himself took to Twitter for the last time a month earlier to say happy birthday to none other than Bono, praising him for his philanthropy – something close to Ali’s own heart.
Ringside seats to see the Champ. #MuhammadAli pic.twitter.com/SDJNE7i48b
— Muhammad Ali (@MuhammadAli) May 31, 2016
Prince, pop icon (1958-2016)
The Purple Rain singer was still making and releasing music at the time of his death.
https://t.co/KM1aONgz6D pic.twitter.com/EweYseXDex
— Prince (@prince) April 18, 2016
These public figures will be remembered for their talent – not their tweets. All the same it’s nice to have messages directly from those we admire before they pass away.
RIP.
A former emo kid who talks too much about 8Chan meme culture, the Kardashian Klan, and how her smartphone is probably killing her. Francesca is a Cardiff University Journalism Masters grad who has done words for BBC, ELLE, The Debrief, DAZED, an art magazine you’ve never heard of and a feminist zine which never went to print.