American Daniel Ellsberg, who in 1971 unveiled confidential documents on the planning of the war in Vietnam, the “Pentagon Papers”, died Friday at the age of 92, his family announced in a press release. “He died of pancreatic cancer, which was diagnosed on February 17. He did not suffer and was surrounded by his beloved family,” his wife and children said.
Former military analyst Daniel Ellsberg became famous in the early 1970s after leaking 7,000 classified documents, the “Pentagon Papers”, which revealed that several American governments had lied to the public about the Vietnam War.
These documents revealed in particular that, contrary to the assertions of various American officials, the Vietnam war could not be won by the United States and that Washington had nevertheless played the card of military escalation. Revelations that helped change American public opinion on the subject.
“Three to six months to live”
Daniel Ellsberg had announced in March that he was suffering from incurable cancer and had indicated that he only had “three to six months to live”.
“Hot chocolates, croissants, cakes, poppyseed and smoked salmon bagels gave her extra pleasure during her last months,” her family said in the statement. “He also took the opportunity to rewatch his favorite movies, including rewatching his favorite movie, ‘Butch Cassidy and the Kid’ several times,” they added.