The Real Story Behind “A Beautiful Mind”

A Tragic End to a Complex Life

John continued to work on mathematical theory throughout his life. In 2015, at 86 years old, he was awarded the Abel prize for ‘striking and seminal contributions’ to his field. Himself and Alicia were returning home to New Jersey from the ceremony in Norway when the taxi they were in struck a guardrail. Alicia and John, neither wearing seat belts, were flung from the car. The couple both perished. After news of his death broke, obituaries appeared in dozens of prominent newspapers. Russell Crowe paid tribute to them both. “An amazing partnership. Beautiful minds, beautiful hearts.”