Emma Bonino, a radical Italian politician known for leading campaigns to legalise abortion and divorce against Vatican opposition, has died aged 78, her party More Europe announced.
Key facts
- Emma Bonino has died aged 78.
- She led campaigns to legalise abortion and divorce in Italy.
- She stood up to the Vatican on these issues.
- She went on to serve as Italy's foreign minister.
- Her party, More Europe, announced her death on Facebook.
Emma Bonino, the radical Italian politician who led campaigns to legalise abortion and divorce against the objections of the Vatican, has died aged 78, according to the Guardian.
Bonino was described as a militant feminist whose work centred on some of the most divisive social issues in Italian public life. She led efforts to legalise both abortion and divorce, positions that placed her in direct opposition to the Catholic Church and the Vatican.
Beyond her activism, Bonino went on to hold high office, serving as Italy’s foreign minister during her long political career.
Her death was announced by More Europe, the small party she founded. In a statement posted on Facebook on Friday, the party paid tribute to her legacy. “Today we lose not only our leader but also one of the most clear-sighted, courageous and free figures in the political history of our country,” it said.
The tribute reflected the standing Bonino held among her supporters, who viewed her as a defining figure in modern Italian politics for her willingness to take on established institutions.
Why it matters
Bonino was a central figure in some of the most consequential social reforms in modern Italy, helping to shape debates over abortion and divorce that pitted campaigners against the Vatican. Her death marks the passing of a politician whose activism and later service as foreign minister left a lasting imprint on the country's political history.
Frequently asked questions
How old was Emma Bonino when she died?
Emma Bonino died aged 78, according to the Guardian.
What causes was Emma Bonino known for?
She led campaigns to legalise abortion and divorce in Italy, standing in opposition to the Vatican.
What political roles did Emma Bonino hold?
She served as Italy's foreign minister and founded the small party More Europe.