Ana Estrada

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Estrada and the second or maternal family name is Ugarte.

Ana Milagros Estrada Ugarte
Estrada in 2020
Born(1976-11-20)20 November 1976
Died21 April 2024(2024-04-21) (aged 47)
EducationPontifical Catholic University of Peru
OccupationsPsychologist and right to die activist
Known forEuthanasia activism
Websiteanabuscalamuertedigna.wordpress.com

Ana Milagros Estrada Ugarte (20 November 1976 – 21 April 2024) was a Peruvian psychologist and right to die activist.[1]

Biography

At the age of 12, Estrada was diagnosed with polymyositis, an uncommon inflammatory disease that causes muscle weakness.[1] Later in her life, Estrada completed her studies at the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru before being determined paralyzed and having to use a wheelchair.[2] In 2015, Estrada's health declined and she had to be admitted for pneumonia in intensive care at Rebagliati Hospital, leaving her bedridden which caused her to become depressed.[2] She underwent a tracheostomy and a gastrostomy, which meant that she had to be constantly intubated in order to breathe, drink, and eat.[3]

Euthanasia request

Around 2019, Estrada requested to be euthanized as a result of pain caused by her illness,[4] but her request was denied due to euthanasia being classified as a crime in Peru under murder.[4] Estrada set up a petition on Change.org in order to legalize euthanasia in Peru and to allow herself to "die with dignity".[5] "For me, having a dignified life means having freedom, autonomy, and the ability to make decisions about yourself," Estrada said. "I want to have control over my time, my body, and the power to choose when to die, because it's about the freedom to choose."[6]

On 25 February 2021, the Eleventh Constitutional Court of Peru declared that euthanasia did not classify as murder and ordered the Ministry of Justice and Ministry of Health to respect her decision.[7][8] The decision was later ratified by the Supreme Court of Peru.[9]

Death

Estrada became the first person in Peru to die by euthanasia on 21 April 2024, at the age of 47.[10][11] She "“died on her own terms, in accordance with her idea of dignity and in full control of her autonomy until the end,” according to a statement released by her family.[9] "“Ana’s legacy will live in the minds and hearts of many people and in the history of our country," the family statement said.[9]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b PERU21, NOTICIAS (25 February 2021). "¿Quién es Ana Estrada y por qué busca el derecho a una muerte digna? Eutanasia | VIDA". Peru21 (in Spanish). Retrieved 14 October 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  2. ^ a b "La historia que divide a Perú: Ana Estrada, la mujer que desesperadamente busca ayuda para morir". infobae (in European Spanish). 30 December 2019. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
  3. ^ "These people want to die. Will their countries allow euthanasia?". NBC News. 21 October 2021. Retrieved 12 February 2026.
  4. ^ a b RedacciónRPP (16 October 2019). "Ana Estrada y su lucha por acceder a una muerte asistida en el Perú | RPP Noticias". rpp.pe (in Spanish). Retrieved 14 October 2023.
  5. ^ ""La búsqueda de la eutanasia me ha dado una razón para vivir": la mujer que logró que la Justicia de Perú le reconozca su derecho a la muerte asistida". BBC News Mundo (in Spanish). Retrieved 14 October 2023.
  6. ^ "Perú: muere Ana Estrada, la primera paciente en someterse a la eutanasia tras lograr que el país reconociera el derecho a la muerte asistida". BBC News Mundo (in Spanish). 22 April 2024. Retrieved 12 February 2026.
  7. ^ "Poder Judicial concede eutanasia para Ana Estrada - La Ley" (in Spanish). 25 February 2021. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
  8. ^ "After long legal battle, Peru confirms woman's right to euthanasia". Reuters. 15 July 2022. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
  9. ^ a b c Quintana, Abel Alvarado, Jimena de la (23 April 2024). "Peruvian woman becomes first person in country to die by euthanasia". CNN. Retrieved 12 February 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  10. ^ McCubbin, Ricardo (23 April 2024). "Murió Ana Estrada, la primera peruana en acceder a la eutanasia tras una valiente batalla por el derecho a la muerte digna". infobae. Retrieved 23 April 2024.
  11. ^ "Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years". AP News. 22 April 2024.
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