James Watson Cause of Death: DNA Pioneer Dies at 97 After Long Illness

James Watson, the Nobel Prize-winning scientist who co-discovered the double-helix structure of DNA, has died at the age of 97. His death was confirmed by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory in New York, where he worked for decades. While no specific cause of death has been released, Watson had reportedly been under hospice care before passing away.

Watson’s groundbreaking discovery in 1953 with Francis Crick forever changed biology and medicine. Yet, his later years were clouded by controversy after he made widely criticized remarks about race and intelligence, which led to the loss of his honorary positions.

James Watson Cause of Death and Official Confirmation

Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory confirmed on November 7, 2025, that James Dewey Watson had passed away at 97. The institution noted that he died peacefully, surrounded by family. However, they did not specify an exact medical cause of death. Reports from Reuters and the Associated Press mention that Watson had been receiving hospice care, suggesting natural causes linked to age and declining health.

Watson’s health had deteriorated in recent years following a 2018 car accident that left him hospitalized with significant injuries. He had since withdrawn from public appearances, living quietly in New York. Despite his controversies, Watson remained a figure of immense importance in the field of molecular biology. His 1953 collaboration with Francis Crick and Maurice Wilkins unveiled the double-helix model of DNA — one of the most significant scientific breakthroughs of the 20th century.

In 1962, Watson shared the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine with Crick and Wilkins “for their discoveries concerning the molecular structure of nucleic acids.” Their work laid the foundation for modern genetics, genetic engineering, and the Human Genome Project. Watson also authored “The Double Helix,” a best-selling book that offered a personal and candid look at the scientific race to uncover the secrets of DNA.

Legacy and Controversy

While Watson’s scientific achievements were monumental, his legacy remains divided. In 2007 and again in 2019, he made comments suggesting genetic differences in intelligence across races — remarks that were condemned by scientists and institutions worldwide. As a result, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory revoked his honorary titles, calling his statements “reprehensible and unsupported by science.”

Despite this, Watson’s early contributions to biology remain essential. The double-helix model has influenced generations of scientists and continues to underpin medical advances in gene therapy, forensics, and biotechnology. His death closes a historic chapter in science marked by both discovery and controversy.

James Watson’s cause of death has not been officially disclosed, but reports confirm he died under hospice care following a gradual health decline. He leaves behind a profound — and complex — scientific legacy that reshaped humanity’s understanding of life itself.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: What was James Watson’s cause of death?

Officials have not confirmed an exact cause of death. He died under hospice care at 97, likely from natural causes linked to old age.

Q2: When did James Watson die?

James Watson passed away on November 6, 2025, with his death confirmed publicly on November 7 by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory.

Q3: What did James Watson discover?

He co-discovered the double-helix structure of DNA in 1953, which revolutionized genetics and molecular biology.

Q4: Why was James Watson controversial?

Watson made public comments about race and intelligence that were widely condemned and led to the removal of his honorary titles in 2019.

Q5: What is James Watson’s lasting legacy?

He remains one of the most influential figures in genetics, with his DNA model shaping medicine, forensics, and genetic research for decades.