Netflix’s latest true crime film documents the life of serial killer Aileen Wuornos, from her troubled upbringing to the decades she spent as a sex worker. Through archival footage, interviews with those who knew her, and even clips of Wuornos from her time in prison, viewers of Aileen: Queen of the Serial Killers have the opportunity to learn more about this infamous murderer.
As we find out in the docu-film, Wuornos was executed by lethal injection by the State of Florida. She died at 9:47am on 9 October 2002, and was only the tenth woman in America to be executed since the 1976 United States Supreme Court decision to restore capital punishment. After learning about her execution, many viewers have been left wondering about Wuornos’ final few moments on earth, including if she had any parting words and what she chose as her last meal. Scroll on to find out…
What was Aileen Wuornos’ last meal before her execution?
It is customary for many countries that still enforce capital punishment to offer condemned inmates a final meal before their execution. The ritual allows prisoners to choose, within reason, what their last meal will be.
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Some of the most famous death row meals throughout history have been documented by photographer Henry Hargreaves. In his No Seconds series, Hargreaves recreated death row inmates’ last meal requests, which included:
- John Wayne Gacy was put to death in Illinois by lethal injection at the age of 52; for his last meal, he requested 12 fried shrimp, a bucket of original recipe KFC, french fries, and a punnet of strawberries
- Ted Bundy was put to death in Florida by electric chair at the age of 43; he declined to have a special request last meal, and was instead given steak cooked medium-rare, eggs, hash browns, toast with butter and jam, milk, and juice
- Ronnie Lee Gardner was put to death in Utah by firing squad at the age of 49; for his last meal, he requested steak, a lobster tail, apple pie, vanilla ice cream, and to eat it all while watching the Lord of the Rings trilogy
As for what Aileen Wuornos had for her last meal, like serial killer Ted Bundy, she declined the offer. The Florida Department of Corrections recorded that, “Wuornos declined the traditional last meal, which could have been anything she wanted for under $20, and instead was given a cup of coffee.”
What were Aileen Wuornos’ final words before her execution?
According to records from the Florida Department of Corrections, Aileen Wuornos’ final words before her execution were: “I’d just like to say I’m sailing with the rock, and I’ll be back like Independence Day, with Jesus June 6. Like the movie, big mother ship and all, I’ll be back.”
Netflix’s Aileen: Queen of the Serial Killers is available to stream now.
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Jade Biggs (she/her) is one of Cosmopolitan UK’s freelance writers, working across all sections including entertainment, beauty, body, and sex and relationships. She previously held the position of Features Writer, covering everything from breaking news and the latest royal gossip, to the health and fitness trends taking over your TikTok feed. Jade has a degree in journalism and has been a journalist and content editor for ten years, interviewing leading researchers, high-profile influencers, and industry experts in that time. She is a cat mom to four fur babies and is obsessed with Drag Race, bottomless brunches, and wearing clothes only suitable for Bratz dolls. Follow her on Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
