Jane Fonda Says She Is Ready To Die: It’s ‘Just Realistic’
Jane Fonda has gotten quite morbid lately. She is nearing 85 and she discussed her age in a recent interview with Entertainment Tonight. The actress and activist said that people her age need to be “realistic” and should “be aware of the amount of time that is behind you as opposed to in front of you.” She told the publication that she’s “aware” she is “not going to be around for much longer,” adding that she is “ready.”
“I’m not afraid of going. I’ve had a great life,” she added. “Not that I want to go, but I’m aware that it’s going to be sooner rather than later. That’s just realistic.”
When asked how she will be celebrating her 85th birthday, Fonda said, “My family will be there. My daughter and grandkids will come in from Vermont. My son and his wife and child live in Los Angeles, and a few friends will come over and we’ll just have a quiet time.” As she discusses what else in life she would like to accomplish, the icon sweetly says that she wishes to see her grandkids get old enough so that she can go out knowing “that they’re going to be okay.” She added that she will be continuing her work on the climate “till I drop.” Fonda said two of her grandkids are in college — one junior, one freshman, while the third is just three years old.
Fonda revealed she had been diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in September. Per the Mayo Clinic, Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma is a type of cancer that begins in the lymphatic system, a part of the body’s immune system dedicated to fighting germs. She wrote on Instagram: “So, my dear friends, I have something personal I want to share. I’ve been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and have started chemo treatments. This is a very treatable cancer. 80% of people survive, so I feel very lucky.”
Her post continued, “I’m also lucky because I have health insurance and access to the best doctors and treatments. I realize, and it’s painful, that I am privileged in this. Almost every family in America has had to deal with cancer at one time or another and far too many don’t have access to the quality health care I am receiving and this is not right. We also need to be talking much more not just about cures but about causes so we can eliminate them. For example, people need to know that fossil fuels cause cancer. So do pesticides, many of which are fossil fuel-based. I’m doing chemo for 6 months and am handling the treatments quite well and, believe me, I will not let any of this interfere with my climate activism.”
She concluded her post by calling cancer her “teacher” that she’s “paying attention to the lessons it holds for me. One thing it’s shown me already is the importance of community. Of growing and deepening one’s community so that we are not alone. And the cancer, along with my age –almost 85– definitely teaches the importance of adapting to new realities.”
