Despite the film’s several difficult themes, Forrest Gump is one of Tom Hanks’ most well-known works.
The movie’s main goal is to provide an original view of life in the 1950s through the 1980s, but it also addresses difficult subjects including early ableism and losing loved ones.
The way people view folks who are disabled or neurodivergent has altered as a result of this movie, which has been referenced for decades.
In this article, we have compiled everything you need to know about how Jenny died in Forrest Gump.
Table of contents
What Did Jenny Die From In Forrest Gump?
Screenwriter Eric Roth of the movie Forrest Gump revealed that Jenny’s death was brought on by complications from HIV or AIDS during the film’s 25th anniversary celebration in 2019.
You get to see Jenny go through her formative years in the 1960s, which were known for hippies and the free love movement.
In the course of the film’s 30 years, Forrest Gump and Jenny are depicted leading lives that are essentially incompatible.
Jenny is actively against the war while Forrest is enlisted in the military for the Vietnam War.
While Jenny led a wild life, Forrest leads what people in his time would have considered a “clean-cut” one.
Hippies used drugs frequently, and the free love movement was well known for its open relationships.
You can even see Jenny high on drugs throughout the film.
People swapped needles and other drug-related equipment all the time, which meant they also shared viruses and diseases.
Throughout the movie, Jenny is shown sharing needles with several partners.
HIV was most likely acquired by her at this point in her life.
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Does Forrest Jr. Have HIV?
Yes, Forrest Gump Jr. is infected with the virus, and this was meant to be the main plot point of the never-made Forrest Gump sequel.
Following the Twin Towers attacks on September 11, 2001, the sequel’s filming was put on hold.
After the 9/11 attacks, screenwriter Eric Roth thought the movie would be “meaningless.”
The nation was already in grief, and the disabled community had already identified issues with the original movie.
Forrest was set to learn that his little son has AIDS at the beginning of the anticipated second film.
The little youngster not only has to deal with the disease’s symptoms but is also shunned by his community’s residents and school kids.
Nobody knew exactly how the diseases, HIV and AIDS, were spreading when they were initially identified.
People with HIV or AIDS were treated similarly to those with leprosy as soon as people started to believe that any physical contact with an infected person was contagious.
As a dad, Forrest would have to figure out how to support his son in coping with his disease and social problems.
The anticipated second film was also intended to include Forrest in different historical events.
Princess Diana, one of the most prominent supporters of persons with HIV and AIDS, was supposed to dance in the ballroom with Forrest in a scene.
By demonstrating to the world that you could touch someone who had HIV or AIDS without contracting the illness yourself, Princess Diana became famous.
The biography of Forrest Gump Jr. would have provided a remarkably original look at how people with HIV and AIDS have been treated.
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Is Forrest Gump Based on a True Story?
Even though Sammy Lee Lewis, a Vietnam War veteran with a story that is very similar to Forrest Gump’s, wasn’t a real person, it is quite likely that Lewis served as some inspiration for Forrest Gump.
Lewis, who had just graduated from high school, was asked to serve in Vietnam after enlisting. Lewis gave his crew cover fire as the Vietcog began a robust ground attack.
He led his men to the opposite side of the river despite not being able to swim. He was able to rescue three injured soldiers en route, administer morphine to them all, and transport them back to base.
Similar to Forrest Gump in the film, Lewis was shot 30 times all over his body, including his buttocks.
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Frequently Asked Questions
She did not see herself as being in his league. In her mind, she had to leave. That was her loving gesture to him so that he could find someone worthy of him. She knew he would not understand, so she left in a manner that would cause the least pain to him.
Forrest tells Jenny’s grave that their son is doing just fine and that he’s taking good care of him. Forrest Jr. has written a letter for his mom, but he doesn’t want his dad to read it. He just leaves the letter at Jenny’s grave.
She asks him to marry her, and he agrees. April 26, 1981: Jenny and Forrest marry. April 28, 1981: Forrest tells Jenny about how he remembered her during his life in Vietnam, as a shrimper, and a national jogger. March 22, 1982: Jenny passes away from her disease.
Conclusion
In spite of the fact that it was only mentioned, Jenny dies from Hepatitis C in the second novel while she passes away from AIDS in the movies.
Notably, Hepatitis C was only identified in 1989, which is why Jenny’s 1980s medical care was limited.
Additionally, Hepatitis C was spread through blood contact with sharing needles, particularly in the 1980s, which is also compatible with Jenny’s character in Forrest Gump.
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