In brief
Maria Teresa Horta, the last surviving member of the iconic feminist trio known as the "Three Marias," passed away on February 4, 2025, at her Lisbon home. She was 87. Her death was publicly confirmed by her publisher, Dom Quixote, and celebrated by Portuguese Prime Minister Luis Montenegro, who highlighted her enduring influence on the fight for women's rights.
Collaborating with Maria Isabel Barreno and Maria Velho da Costa, Horta co-authored the groundbreaking book "Novas Cartas Portuguesas" ("New Portuguese Letters") in 1972. The book, a collection of letters discussing their struggles as women under Portugal’s repressive dictatorship, brought to light the issues of female oppression, igniting public outcry against the regime and resulting in their arrest for charges of indecency.This act of censorship against the Three Marias garnered significant international attention, becoming a rallying point for feminists worldwide. Leading literary figures, such as Simone de Beauvoir and Marguerite Duras, voiced their support, driving global efforts to contest the injustices they faced. The National Organization for Women recognized the case as its initial international cause, thus cementing the trio's pivotal role in advocating for gender equality within a restrictive political landscape.Horta's legacy continues to inspire countless activists and writers fighting for women's rights and freedom of expression across the globe.
