Peruvian woman becomes first person in country to die by euthanasia

After a long legal battle, Ana Estrada, 47, who suffered from polymyositis, “died on her own terms, in accordance with her idea of ​​dignity and in full control of her autonomy until the end,” her family said.

A Peruvian woman with an uncurable disease that left her bed ridden and requiring round-the-clock care has become the first person in the country to die by euthanasia. After a long legal battle, Ana Estrada, 47, “died on her own terms, in accordance with her idea of ​​dignity and in full control of her autonomy until the end,” her family said in a statement shared Monday. Euthanasia is prohibited in Peru, but in February 2021, a Peruvian court ordered health authorities to “respect Estrada’s decision” to end her life through the medical procedure of euthanasia. It was the first time in the country’s history that its justice system recognized and authorized a person’s right to end their life. Health authorities did not appeal, and the decision was later ratified by the Supreme Court in July 2022. “This is a historic ruling,” her lawyer, Walter Gutierrez, said at the time, adding that Estrada was “very happy.”