Final meals can be surprisingly ordinary or unexpectedly meaningful. Requests have ranged from candy to full-course dinners, but the reasons behind them — or the mystery of having no reason at all — keep people curious. This article lists the most memorable last meals and the people who ordered them.
Gerald Lee Mitchell
Credit: Reddit
Gerald Lee Mitchell didn’t ask for steak, seafood, or pie. He asked for Jolly Ranchers. That’s it. A rainbow handful of tangy hard candy. It was 2001, and this simple request sparked curiosity far beyond Texas. Some say it showed a softer side, others think he just really liked candy.
John Wayne Gacy
Credit: Reddit
John Wayne Gacy went full comfort mode before his turn. The former fast food manager ordered a bucket of fried chicken, French fries, 12 shrimp, and strawberries. It’s a heavy plate, but not surprising considering his background. The meal seemed to mirror his strange blend of control and indulgence.
Victor Feguer
Credit: flickr
Victor Feguer was executed by the federal government in Iowa in 1963. He requested a single green olive with the pit still intact. When examined post-execution, the pit was found in his stomach. This has led to speculation that Feguer saw the olive as a symbol of peace, rebirth, or reflection.
Timothy McVeigh
Credit: flickr
Timothy McVeigh asked for two pints of mint chocolate chip ice cream. The flavor choice contrasted heavily with the context. Media coverage of the execution widely reported the meal, and it has since appeared in multiple books and documentaries as an example of emotionally detached final meal requests.
Thomas Grasso
Credit: Youtube
Thomas Grasso’s 1995 meal request included two dozen steamed mussels, two dozen steamed clams with lemon wedges, a Burger King double cheeseburger, half a dozen barbecued ribs, two strawberry milkshakes, half a pumpkin pie with whipped cream, diced strawberries, and a can of SpaghettiOs with meatballs. He's famous for his last statement: “I did not get my SpaghettiOs, I got spaghetti.”
Saddam Hussein
Credit: X
Saddam Hussein was served a traditional Iraqi dish of boiled chicken and rice and several cups of hot water mixed with honey. The choice captured the tradition of shared Middle Eastern dietary preferences and avoided any extravagance. This was prepared by Iraqi officials and served as a respectful gesture rather than a personal selection.
Ruth Snyder
Credit: Youtube
Ruth Snyder was one of the earliest American women to receive capital punishment in the 20th century. Her final meal was with pasta Alfredo, ice cream, two milkshakes, and a 12-pack of grape soda. Her involvement in a sensational trial and the secret photograph of her execution drew media attention.
Velma Barfield
Credit: Famous Last Meals
In 1984, Velma Barfield became the first woman in the United States executed after the reinstatement of capital punishment in 1976. Her meal choice was simple: Cheez Doodles and a can of Coca-Cola. Both items were popular American snacks in the late 20th century, often seen in vending machines and convenience stores.
Joe Arridy
Credit: flickr
Joe Arridy asked for ice cream, which was his favorite treat. It was served in large portions, and reports say he smiled as he ate it. He had an intellectual disability and was later posthumously pardoned after serious doubts emerged about his conviction. His story has been the subject of documentaries.
Gary Gilmore
Credit: Artsy
Gary Gilmore’s case gained national attention, mainly due to his direct request to carry out the sentence without delay. He chose to eat a hamburger, hard-boiled eggs, a baked potato, coffee, and milk. He was the first person executed in the U.S. after the Supreme Court reinstated capital punishment in 1976.
Ronnie Lee Gardner
Credit: Reddit
In 2010, Ronnie Lee Gardner’s farewell dish included steak, a broiled lobster tail, apple pie, vanilla ice cream, and a 7-Up. As part of his request, he was also allowed to watch The Lord of the Rings. The experience lasted over a day.
Lawrence Russell Brewer
Credit: Youtube
Texas inmate Lawrence Russell Brewer requested an enormous meal but refused to eat it. The order included two chicken-fried steaks, a triple bacon cheeseburger, and more. The uneaten tray prompted Texas to end the tradition of customized food for those on the condemned row.
Bruno Hauptmann
Credit: Famous Last Meals
Before his execution in 1936, Bruno Hauptmann was served a meal featuring celery, olives, roasted chicken, French fries, buttered peas, cherries, and a slice of cake. Convicted during the widely publicized Lindbergh baby case, he drew massive national attention.
Peter Kürten
Credit: Youtube
Served in 1931 in Germany, this traditional European meal featured Wiener schnitzel (a breaded veal cutlet), fried potatoes, and a drink. Peter Kürten’s request was typical of standard German fare of the time, essentially what would have been served in working-class restaurants.
Philip Workman
Credit: flickr
Instead of a personal meal, Philip Workman requested that a vegetarian pizza be given to the homeless. Workman’s decision sparked national discussion about meal practices and compassion within the justice system.
