Who Is Elisabeth Kübler-Ross? Age, Biography and Wiki
Elisabeth Kübler-Ross was born on July 8, 1926, in Zurich, Switzerland, and she passed away on August 24, 2004. By 2025, her legacy continues to influence the fields of psychology and palliative care. Known for her pioneering work on the five stages of grief—Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, and Acceptance—her remarkable contributions to understanding death and dying have made her a revered figure in both medical and psychological communities.
| Occupation | Psychiatrists |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | July 8, 1926 |
| Age | 78 Years |
| Birth Place | Zürich, Switzerland |
| Horoscope | Cancer |
| Country | Switzerland |
| Date of death | 24 August, 2004 |
| Died Place | Scottsdale, Arizona, U.S. |
Popularity
Elisabeth Kübler-Ross's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
While specific details about Elisabeth Kübler-Ross's height and weight are not documented in typical biographies, her stature as a towering figure in the field of psychiatry cannot be understated. Her presence and authority in discussions around mortality were felt profoundly, embodying the grace and resilience reflective of the many patients she worked with throughout her career.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Elisabeth Kübler-Ross was married twice during her lifetime. Her first marriage was to Emil Kübler in 1958, which lasted until their divorce in 1964. She later remarried to a man named Rachael M. McCoy, which further enriched her life and understanding of relationships, those around her, and the grieving process.
Although she did not publicly disclose much about her personal romantic relationships, her close ties with family and friends were often highlighted in her writings and interviews, emphasizing the importance of understanding emotional connections in the context of grief.
She was one of a set of triplets, two of whom were identical. Her life was jeopardized due to complications, weighing only 2 pounds at birth, but she said she survived due to her mother's love and attentiveness.
Elisabeth later contracted pneumonia and was hospitalized at age 5, during which she had her first experience with death as her roommate died peacefully. Her early experiences with death led her to believe that, because death is a necessary stage of life, one must be prepared to face it with dignity and peace.
During World War II, at only 13 years of age, Kübler-Ross worked as a laboratory assistant for refugees in Zürich. From a young age, she was determined to become a doctor despite her father's efforts in forcing her to become a secretary for his business. She refused him and left home at 16.
She began working as a housemaid for a mean woman, where she met a doctor who wished to help her in becoming a doctor. She then worked as an apprentice for a Dr. Braun, a scientist in her hometown, up until he went bankrupt. Here, she remembered getting her first lab coat with her name on it.
Net Worth and Salary
At the time of her passing, Elisabeth Kübler-Ross had an estimated net worth of around $10 million. Much of her wealth stemmed from bestselling books, speaking engagements, and her tireless dedication to improving end-of-life care. In the years following her death, her estate has likely remained profitable due to continued interest in her work, including posthumous publications and documentary features showcasing her methodology and insights.
In the late 1970s, Kübler-Ross developed a series of 5-day residential workshops aimed at helping individuals who were nearing the end of their lives to live more fully during their remaining time. These workshops were designed to accommodate not only the dying but also their caregivers, who were encouraged to participate in the sessions.
The workshops provided a forum for patients to share their stories and express their fears, anger, and grief regarding their impending death. A recurring theme in the workshops was addressing regrets associated with perceived wasted time and energy related to unresolved childhood issues such as abuse and neglect.
These unresolved issues often manifested as misplaced anger, perfectionism, controlling behavior, prioritization of material wealth over relationships, feelings of unworthiness, and a lack of meaning.
Career, Business and Investments
Elisabeth Kübler-Ross began her career in medicine, graduating with her medical degree in 1957. She shifted her focus to psychotherapy and palliative care, leading to the development of her groundbreaking model of the five stages of grief. Her best-selling book, "On Death and Dying," published in 1969, solidified her as a thought leader and innovator in the realm of psychology and medicine.
Kübler-Ross's establishment of the Elisabeth Kübler-Ross Foundation continues to promote awareness about terminal illness and enrich understanding of the dying process. Her commitment to improving medical and emotional care for the dying is an integral part of her legacy.
In 1970, Kübler-Ross delivered the Ingersoll Lecture at Harvard University, focusing on her book, On Death and Dying (1969). By July 1982, Kübler-Ross had taught 125,000 students in death and dying courses in colleges, seminaries, medical schools, hospitals, and social-work institutions.
In 1999, the New York Public Library named On Death and Dying one of its "Books of the Century," and Time magazine recognized her as one of the "100 Most Important Thinkers" of the 20th century.
Throughout her career, Kübler-Ross received over 100 awards, including twenty honorary degrees, and was inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame in 2007. In 2024, Simon & Schuster released a list of their 100 most notable books, including Kübler-Ross's On Death & Dying.
Stanford University's Green Library currently houses her remaining archives which are available for study.
Social Network
Though she passed away in 2004, Elisabeth Kübler-Ross’s social network remains vibrant through her extensive foundation and the influence she had on many practitioners and laypersons alike. Social media platforms today allow fans and followers to engage with her teachings, share their experiences, and promote her work in preparing for death and understanding grief.
"Now you are reacting like human beings instead of scientists. Maybe now you'll not only know how a dying patient feels but you will also be able to treat them with compassion – the same compassion that you would want for yourself"
Education
Elisabeth Kübler-Ross's formal education laid the groundwork for her illustrious career. She obtained her medical degree from the University of Zurich in Switzerland. Following her graduate education, she expanded her expertise by studying various forms of therapy, including psychoanalysis, which added depth to her insights into human behavior and dying.
After returning to Zürich, Kübler-Ross worked for a dermatologist named Dr. Kan Zehnder at the Canton Hospital an apprentice. After this time, she worked to support herself in a variety of jobs, gaining major experience in hospitals while volunteering to provide aid to refugees. Following this, she went on to attend the University of Zurich to study medicine, and graduated in 1957.
