Duolingo Fans Shocked by Mascot Duo’s Playful ‘Death’ Announcement

PITTSBURGH, Pa. (AP) — Duolingo, the popular language-learning platform, left fans bewildered after announcing the ‘death’ of its iconic owl mascot, Duo, on February 11, 2025.

The company shared a tongue-in-cheek post on its social media channels, stating, “It is with heavy hearts that we inform you that Duo, formally known as The Duolingo Owl, is dead.” The whimsical announcement suggested that the cause of death could be linked to users taking too long to complete their lessons.

“Authorities are currently investigating his cause of death, and we are cooperating fully,” the post read. “Honestly, he probably died waiting for you to do your lesson, but what do we know?” This lighthearted approach was complemented by a request for fans to ‘respect privacy’ during this time of mourning.

Additionally, Duolingo jokingly mentioned that the mascot had many ‘enemies,’ encouraging users to avoid negative comments about Duo and instead consider signing up for Duolingo Max in his memory.

Founded in 2011 by Luis von Ahn and Severin Hacker, Duolingo has become one of the world’s leading educational platforms since launching its app in 2012. The app offers various language-learning tools, such as Duolingo ABC and the Duolingo English proficiency test, making it a top choice globally.

“People meme-ified Duo as this thing that will hunt you down if you don’t do your Spanish lesson for the day,” said Ryan Sims, vice president of design at Duolingo. He added that the owl has a unique emotional range, displaying emotions like sadness when learners fall behind.

The announcement reignited the community’s affection for Duo, with users posting funny reactions and sharing their favorite moments related to the mascot. One user humorously quipped, “If he’s dead… does that mean my family will be released?”

In line with Duolingo’s playful tone, many fans inquired about the person’s involvement in Duo’s ‘death,’ with one suggesting, “I fear I know who it was (Drake), but I won’t say his name out loud.” Duolingo responded, “Authorities are looking into a Canadian for the case.”

As the conversation continued to unfold online, many users expressed solidarity with the company, saying things like, “Grief is a heavy emotion, let us know if you need anything,” to which Duolingo replied, “Please leave us alone during this time of mourning.”

The post also humorously referenced pop star Dua Lipa, asking fans to respect her privacy during this period. Duolingo has previously highlighted the connection between Duo and Lipa, branding Duo as her ‘unrequited love interest.’

In a light-hearted turn, Duolingo shared fun content featuring Dua Lipa’s lyrics that could help learners improve their English skills. Featured tracks included “Houdini,” “Don’t Start Now,” “New Rules,” and “Levitating.”

Duolingo’s engagement with its audience through comedic announcements showcases the unique relationship the platform has developed with its users. It remains to be seen how this playful narrative will unfold, but one thing is certain: the spirit of Duo will live on in the hearts of many language learners worldwide.

For continuing updates on this story, keep checking back with Duolingo and other news sources.