Emma Bonino, a prominent Italian politician known for leading campaigns to legalize abortion and divorce, has died at the age of 78.

Emma Bonino, a veteran Italian politician and human rights activist who led historic campaigns to legalize abortion and divorce, has died at 78. A former leader of the Radical Party, Bonino served as Italy’s foreign minister and as a European commissioner during a career spanning more than five decades. She passed away in Rome on Friday, September 11.

A Legacy of Civil Rights Activism

Bonino entered politics in the 1970s after undergoing an illegal abortion at age 26, an experience she described as humiliating. She turned her personal situation into a public act of defiance by turning herself in to the police, which helped fuel the movement that led to the legalization of abortion in Italy in 1978. Throughout her career, she remained a vocal advocate for civil liberties, female genital mutilation awareness, and international human rights. Beyond her domestic work, Bonino was a dedicated Europeanist. She served in both houses of the Italian Parliament, the European Parliament, and as a European commissioner. Even after a cancer diagnosis in 2015, she continued her political engagement, remaining a frequent commentator on Italian television and running as a candidate in the 2024 European elections.

Political Impact and Recognition

As a leader of the Radical Party, Bonino challenged the influence of the Vatican and the Italian political establishment. While her 1999 bid to become Italy's first female president was unsuccessful, she maintained a reputation for sharp wit and political insight that commanded respect across the ideological spectrum. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni acknowledged her significance in Italy's public life, noting that despite their differing perspectives, Bonino’s role in the nation was undeniable.