In brief
Maria Teresa Horta, an influential figure in Portuguese feminism and the last of the celebrated "Three Marias," passed away peacefully at her home in Lisbon on February 4, 2025. She was 87 years old. The news of her death was shared on social media by her publisher, Dom Quixote. Portugal's Prime Minister, Luis Montenegro, honored her legacy on X, praising her as a symbol of freedom and an important advocate for women's recognition in society.
Horta played a crucial role in exposing the repression of women throughout Portugal's dictatorship alongside her co-authors Maria Isabel Barreno and Maria Velho da Costa. Together, they produced the ground-breaking book "Novas Cartas Portuguesas" (New Portuguese Letters) in 1972, which consisted of candid letters detailing their experiences as women living under an oppressive regime. This bold work ignited outrage among the authoritarian authorities, leading to their arrest and subsequent prosecution for indecency and violating press freedom.The book quickly became a catalyst for an international feminist movement, bringing attention to the injustices faced by women in Portugal. Notable figures such as Simone de Beauvoir, Marguerite Duras, and Adrienne Rich publicly supported the Three Marias, as their fight against the state garnered global recognition. In response to the police action against them in June 1972, TIME magazine reported on the growing international outcry that highlighted the case as a significant moment for feminism.Horta’s legacy remains influential, inspiring feminists worldwide and contributing to the ongoing dialogue about women's rights. With her passing, the world has lost a remarkable voice in the struggle for gender equality and freedom.
