Katharine Hepburn Dead at 96

With a career spanning over six decades, Katharine Hepburn has died at the age of 96. Born on May 12, 1907, in Hartford, Connecticut, Katharine Hepburn had a very independent and unique style - not only when it came to acting, but also when it came to relating to other people. Sophistication was one of her trademarks, but so was maintaining a very positive and upbeat outlook on life. For many, it will come as a surprise that such an attitude would be held by... an atheist.

Yes, Katharine Hepburn was an atheist. James A. Haught, editor of 2000 Years of Disbelief, quotes this from the October 1991 issue of Ladies' Home Journal:

"I'm an atheist, and that's it. I believe there's nothing we can know except that we should be kind to each other and do what we can for people."

Katharine Hepburn once appeared on the Phil Donahue show and was asked if she believed in God; her answer:

No, I don't believe in a god and as far as when I die, I'm looking forward to a nice, long rest in the ground!

In another interview done in 1990 as she was growing more aware that her life would be coming to an end, she said;

"I don't fear the next world, or anything. I don't fear hell, and I don't look forward to heaven."

And

No belief in gods, no belief in an afterlife, no belief in a soul... but still she managed to live a wonderful, productive, happy, and even inspiring life. Would that we all could manage to do as well.

Elsewhere on About:

• Katharine Hepburn Tribute (Classic Movies)
• Katharine Hepburn Photo (Classic Movies)
• Short Katharine Hepburn Biography (Women's History)
• Katharine Hepburn Quotations (Women's History)