Albert Einstein Albert Einstein, the greatest physicist of the twentieth century, was loved and admired by the world for his extraordinary wisdom in creating the theory of relativity, which gave new concepts to space, time and gravity, and occupied an unparalleled position in the history of science and human history. Einstein’s life was full of legends, but his later years were a rational step towards the end. He once said, “Yes, everyone has to die. Death is the ultimate liberation, the eternal freedom”. In December 1947, Einstein was found to have an abdominal aortic aneurysm when he underwent a gastrectomy for a stomach ulcer. He said calmly, “Let it rupture!”. On April 13, 1955, Einstein suddenly felt a sharp pain in his abdomen at Princeton, which doctors diagnosed as being caused by an aneurysm and requested immediate surgery, but Einstein refused. Einstein knew that the aneurysm, a time bomb, had finally exploded and that he should go. The next day, Dr. Glenn, a vascular surgery specialist, arrived from New York. Even though Einstein was weak and it was dangerous to operate, Glenn recommended surgery as the only way to save his life. A weary smile appeared on Einstein’s pale face and he shook his head, “No need.” On April 16, Einstein’s condition worsened and he was persuaded by his physician to be admitted to a hospital in Princeton, and on Friday, April 17, Einstein was feeling a little better. Smiling, he said to his children, “It’s nothing. I’m done with things here.” To all his friends and colleagues who came to see him, Einstein calmly said the same thing: “Don’t be sad, people have to die someday.” At midnight that night, Miss Russell, the assistant nurse, noticed that Einstein was having trouble breathing in his sleep. Wanting to call a doctor, she headed for the door of the room, but heard Einstein say a few words in German. Miss Russell could not understand and hurriedly turned back to the bed. At that very moment?1:25 p.m. on April 18, 1955? Einstein passed away at the age of 76. An autopsy after his death revealed a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm overflowing with blood.