Priyanka Tiwari
Share
The family of Mario Vargas Llosa announced on Sunday that the Nobel Prize-winning author passed away peacefully in Lima at the age of 89. The announcement, shared on social platform X by his eldest son Alvaro Vargas Llosa and co-signed by siblings Gonzalo and Morgana, expressed their grief and asked for privacy.
End of a Literary Era
With Vargas Llosa's death, Latin America's literary "golden generation" loses its last remaining icon. He stood alongside Gabriel Garcia Marquez and Julio Cortazar as a central figure in the Latin American literary boom of the 1960s and 1970s.
Private Farewell Requested by Author
Respecting his final wishes, the family will not hold a public ceremony. They noted that his body will be cremated and the farewell will remain private among close friends and relatives.
Health Concerns and Last Days
In recent months, rumors about his declining health had circulated. In October, his son mentioned that Vargas Llosa had reduced his public activities due to age, stating he was nearing 90.
Legacy of a Literary Giant
President Dina Boluarte of Peru praised Vargas Llosa’s contributions, referring to him as an “illustrious Peruvian for the ages.” She highlighted his work as an intellectual and literary figure whose legacy will benefit generations to come.
Notable Works and Contributions
Vargas Llosa was known for his socially reflective novels such as "The City and the Dogs" (1963) and "Conversation in the Cathedral" (1969). His storytelling was praised globally, although he was also known for his conservative political views, which drew criticism from some intellectuals.
Recognition in France and Worldwide
The author, whose works were translated into approximately 30 languages, lived in Paris for a time. In 2016, he became the first foreign writer to be included in the prestigious French Pleiade collection during his lifetime. In 2021, he was named to France’s Academy of intellectuals.
Final Years in Lima
Vargas Llosa returned to Lima in 2023 and celebrated his 89th birthday on March 28. Before his birthday, Alvaro Vargas Llosa shared photos of him revisiting locations in Lima where he wrote his final novels “Five Corners” and “I Dedicate My Silence to You.”
