Famous Last Words
Catherine II of Russia
St. Petersburg, Russia
November 17, 1796

“I shall be an autocrat: that’s my trade. And the good Lord will forgive me: that’s his.”

Other Last Words attributed to Catherine II were an exchanged with her physician who told her “Majesty, you must get well! The people need you!” with Catherine replying “You do not say ‘must’ to a princess.” Though it’s more likely she did not say either of these quips as she suffered two strokes causing a cerebral hemorrhage.