The Season 36 finale of The Simpsons left fans in shock with a poignant flash-forward that shows Marge Simpson’s death. In the episode titled Estranger Things, Marge is seen in a future timeline where she has passed away, reunited with Ringo Starr in heaven, and remembered lovingly by her family. Her tombstone reads, “Beloved wife, mother, pork-chop seasoner,” and the final moments include a touching message to Lisa and Bart encouraging them to stay close.
While the scene is emotionally impactful, it doesn’t mean Marge is permanently gone from the show. Her death is portrayed in a speculative future—an artistic flash-forward that The Simpsons occasionally uses to explore different what-if scenarios. The current timeline, where the characters never truly age, remains intact. This means Marge will continue to be a central character in future episodes and is not written out of the series.
Ultimately, the finale is more of a narrative experiment than a canonical farewell, designed to stir emotion without altering the timeless structure of the show. Marge Simpson isn’t really gone—she’ll be back in Season 37 like always.