Washington on his Deathbed, an 1851 portrait by Junius
Brutus Stearns.
George Washington, the American revolutionary leader and
first president of the United States, died at his estate in Mount
Vernon, Virginia. He was 67 years old. His last words were
"’Tis well."
The diagnosis of Washington’s illness and the immediate
cause of his death have been subjects of much debate.
Modern medical authors have concluded that he likely died
from severe epiglottitis, an inflammation in the throat,
complicated by various treatments which included extensive bloodletting.
The sarcophagi of George (right) and Martha Washington at
the entrance to their tomb in Mount Vernon.
Marble Statue of George Washington by Jean-Antoine
Houdon, circa 1794 State Capital, Commonwealth of
Virginia, Library of Virginia.