Date and place of death
Stephen Hawking died on 14 March 2018 at his home in Cambridge, England. He was 76 years old. His family publicly announced the loss that evening.
Confirmation and cause
The cause of death was not publicly disclosed in detail, consistent with family privacy. Multiple reputable outlets reported the passing using statements from Hawking’s children and the hospital trust, confirming both the date and location.
Life context and why the date matters
Diagnosed with early-onset motor neurone disease at 21, Hawking lived with the condition for more than 50 years. His longevity reshaped public understanding of disability and scientific contribution, making the date of his death a reference point for tributes and retrospectives.
Immediate legacy impact at death
- Global scientific institutions issued statements honoring his theoretical work and outreach.
- Media coverage emphasized his signature achievements, notably black hole thermodynamics and Hawking radiation.
- A wave of public memorial events and obituaries highlighted his influence on physics and culture.
Enduring influence after 2018
Hawking’s ideas remain active in discussions of cosmology, quantum gravity, and information paradoxes. Posthumous publications and recordings continue to shape research and public science communication, long after his death in 2018.
Verified detail summary
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Date of death | 14 March 2018 | Family statement, news reports |
| Place of death | Cambridge, England, United Kingdom | News reports, local sources |
| Age at death | 76 years old | Obituaries, institutional statements |
| Known condition | ALS (motor neurone disease), diagnosed 1963 | Medical records, biographies |
| Key scientific work | Hawking radiation, black hole thermodynamics | Peer-reviewed publications |
Comparison with similar profiles
Unlike many contemporaries who died in the 1990s–2000s, Hawking’s cultural footprint remained high through digital archives, televised lectures, and sustained academic citation, reflecting how longevity in science can extend influence well beyond death.
Quick timeline context
- 1963: Diagnosed with ALS.
- 1974: Hawking radiation published.
- 1988: ‘A Brief History of Time’ released.
- 2018: Died 14 March, widely commemorated.
Tags
Stephen Hawking, science legacy, cosmology, public intellectual, 2018