Ana Milagros Estrada Ugarte | |
Birth Date: | 20 November 1976 |
Nationality: | Peruvian |
Education: | Pontifical Catholic University of Peru |
Occupation: | Psychologist and right to die activist |
Known For: | Euthanasia activism |
Ana Milagros Estrada Ugarte (20 November 1976 – 21 April 2024) was a Peruvian psychologist and right to die activist.[1]
At the age of 12, Estrada was diagnosed with polymyositis, an uncommon inflammatory disease that causes muscle weakness. 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.
Around 2019, Estrada requested to be euthanized as a result of pain caused by her illness,[3] but her request was denied due to euthanasia being classified as a crime in Peru under murder. Estrada set up a petition on Change.org in order to legalize euthanasia in Peru and to allow herself to "die with dignity".[4]
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.[5] [6]
Estrada became the first person in Peru to die by euthanasia on 21 April 2024, at the age of 47.[7] [8]