To many, Gloria Steinem, who died on Sept. 2, 2026, was seen as the leading figure of the feminist movement for more than half a century. But in her final interview, the writer, magazine editor, lecturer, and activist made it clear that she vehemently disagreed.

“I hope I wasn’t the face of the feminist movement,” she told Famous Last Words executive producer Brad Falchuk in a confidential interview — one that she understood would only be released after her death — filmed in February 2025. “It’s not right. It’s a diverse movement. [My fame] has more to do with endurance … because I’ve just lasted longer, because I’ve stayed at it longer.” 

During their conversation — which spanned family, her career as a writer and founder of Ms. magazine, her love of reality TV, and her work as an activist and advocate for global equality — Steinem underscored the importance of community and bringing a diversity of thought and backgrounds together. This was especially important amidst the complicated personal politics within the feminist movement, including her own tension with feminist writer Betty Friedan. “You’re never by yourself [within a movement], so it’s not as difficult when you’re misunderstood out there,” she said.

Steinem was clear-eyed about the unfinished fight she’s leaving behind. “I don’t lose all hope in the future,” she said. “We have no shortage of things we need to do in order to be compassionate toward each other.”

Asked by Falchuk how she feels about not being here anymore, Steinem replied, “I don’t know if we can contemplate our own nonexistence, but I just hope that I have — however accidentally — left behind some words, or actions, or stories, or something that is useful to the people. And pleasurable, hopefully, to the people who are going to continue long after you and me.”

As for what she would want people to say about her after her passing, Steinem said, “There was this person who tried to make the world a little more equal, compassionate, joyful, funny than it was when I showed up.” 

Told that she chose the harder path in committing to progress and change, she replied, “Doesn’t feel harder. It feels like fun.”

Gloria Steinem and Brad Falchuk

“Gloria Steinem was the steady heartbeat of a revolution, but in this room, she was a woman reflecting on the simple, profound beauty of human connection,” Falchuk tells Netflix. “She spoke about the intersection of race, gender, and peace with a wisdom that only comes from a lifetime on the front lines. Even in her final moments, she was organizing us, challenging us to keep moving forward. It’s an extraordinary privilege to share her final thoughts with the world.”

What were Gloria Steinem’s last words?

At the end of their interview, Falchuk left the stage so that Steinem could speak directly to the camera to deliver her final, unedited public thoughts. Here they are in full:

“Hello, all you unique individuals out there. I’m so glad to be meeting you through the magic of the media. I wish I could meet each one of you in person, but in a way, this is what allows us now to see each other’s lives, to influence each other’s lives, to respect each other — and to, therefore, perpetuate what we hope is a global democracy.

“Please feel free to respond in any way you can, and please tell your own story. This is the most important thing we can do for each other — to know each other through stories. And I hope so much that whoever you are, listening right now, you are able to do what you love — [and] to be, also, the unique person you are.”

Famous Last Words: Gloria Steinem is now streaming.