Peruvian psychologist Ana Estrada, who battled an incurable disease that left her bedridden for years, passed away by euthanasia, her lawyer confirmed on Monday, April 22, 2024.
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Estrada’s journey to seek the right to die with dignity garnered attention in Peru, a conservative country where euthanasia and assisted suicide remain illegal.
Despite legal barriers, Estrada tirelessly fought for her right to make end-of-life decisions.
In 2022, after years of legal battles, Peru’s Supreme Court granted Estrada an exception, affirming her right to determine the timing of her death and ensuring that those who assisted her would not face legal consequences.
This landmark decision made Estrada the first person in Peru to receive authorization for euthanasia.
Ana Estrada, aged 47, suffered from polymyositis, a debilitating disease that progressively weakened her muscles.
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Despite facing health challenges from a young age, Estrada pursued higher education and established a career as a therapist.
However, as her condition deteriorated, she eventually became confined to her bed, losing her ability to walk and experiencing profound physical limitations.
Estrada’s legal battle for the right to euthanasia brought widespread attention to the issue of end-of-life care in Peru.
Through court proceedings conducted via video conferences from her bed, she emphasized her desire for autonomy and dignity in making decisions about her life and death.
In her statements to the court, Estrada expressed her appreciation for life but emphasized her desire to have the freedom to end her suffering when it became unbearable. She advocated for the right to bid farewell to her loved ones peacefully and on her terms.
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