A Fight for Death: Peruvian Psychologist Becomes the First in the Country to End Her Life by Euthanasia

Ana Estrada, a Peruvian psychologist, passed away by euthanasia on Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to physician-assisted death legally. Estrada’s years-long legal battle for her right to die with dignity sparked national conversations about end-of-life decisions in a traditionally conservative nation where euthanasia and assisted suicide are illegal.

Diagnosed in her teens with polymyositis, a debilitating muscular disease, Estrada’s life gradually became confined to a wheelchair by her early twenties. Yet, her spirit remained strong. Estrada pursued a degree in psychology, built a successful career as a therapist, and fiercely maintained her independence.

By 2017, however, her condition had deteriorated significantly. Confined to her bed, struggling to breathe, Estrada faced the harsh reality of her situation. Despite losing her physical abilities, she remained determined to have a say in her final chapter. Through voice-activated software, she launched a blog, “Ana for a Death with Dignity,” where she chronicled her struggles and her unwavering pursuit of euthanasia.

“I am no longer free,” she declared in a 2018 interview with the Associated Press. “I am not the same person I was before.”

Estrada’s fight for her right to die with dignity was not a solitary one. Partnering with Peru’s Human Rights Ombudsman, she embarked on a legal journey that would ultimately rewrite the nation’s narrative on end-of-life care. Participating in court hearings through video conferences, Estrada eloquently expressed her desire for control over her final days.

“I value life, and I do not want to die immediately,” she stated before the judges in 2022. “But I want to have the freedom to decide when to end my life. I want to accede to euthanasia when I can no longer sustain suffering in life and when I decide to bid farewell to my loved ones in peace and with tranquillity.”

Estrada’s case marked a historic turning point for Peru. In 2022, the nation’s Supreme Court upheld a lower court ruling, granting her the right to die with medical assistance and ensuring that those who assisted her wouldn’t face legal repercussions. This landmark decision positioned Estrada as a pioneer for end-of-life rights in Peru, a nation where such discussions were previously taboo.

Estrada’s passing has reignited conversations surrounding euthanasia and assisted suicide throughout Latin America. While most countries in the region have yet to legalize it, Peru joins Colombia (2015) and Ecuador (2023, decriminalized) as the few Latin American nations to address this complex issue.

Estrada’s legacy extends beyond Peru. Her courageous fight for a dignified death has brought international attention to the issue of end-of-life choices, sparking discussions about compassion, patient autonomy, and the right to die with dignity on one’s terms.