ROME — Emma Bonino, a prominent political figure and advocate for civil rights in Italy, has passed away at the age of 78, reports BritPanorama.
Her party of recent years, +Europa, confirmed her death, reflecting on her lifelong dedication to addressing issues such as abortion rights, world hunger, and authoritarianism.
“Her life was a long struggle against everything that denies freedom: against clandestine abortion, world hunger, the stranglehold of party politics, female genital mutilation, punitive justice, genocide, and every form of authoritarianism,” the party stated.
Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni offered tribute to Bonino, acknowledging that their differing backgrounds did not hinder her influence and importance in Italian public life, stating that Bonino was “a strong and recognizable voice in Italian politics, championing her ideas with determination.”
Throughout her lengthy career, Bonino remained a key political figure and human rights campaigner. She served as a European commissioner under then-Premier Silvio Berlusconi and co-founded the death penalty advocacy group Hands Off Cain. Her unsuccessful bid in 1999 to become Italy’s first female president marked a notable moment in her political journey.
Bonino was well-known to younger generations as a political commentator on Italian television, often recognized for her incisive views and vibrant personality. After being diagnosed with cancer in 2015, she frequently appeared in public wearing colorful headscarves.
Born on March 9, 1948, in Bra, near Turin, she spent her childhood on a farm. In her early political activism, Bonino became involved after experiencing an illegal abortion at the age of 26, a deeply influential moment that propelled her into a life dedicated to changing Italian laws regarding reproductive rights.
She played a vital role in the legalization of abortion in Italy in 1978, marking a significant milestone in her career and establishing her as a prominent member of the Radical Party, which opposed the Catholic Church’s influence on Italian politics.
Challenging the Vatican
Elected to parliament in 1976, Bonino fought against the entrenched political establishment and social conservatism in Italy. Her activism paved the way for widespread changes in reproductive rights and personal freedoms.
Over her 50-year political career, Bonino was elected multiple times to both chambers of the Italian Parliament and became a leading figure in various reform movements. In 2017, she became the leader of +Europa, a party promoting liberalism and European federalism.
Bonino’s political accomplishments extended beyond Italy. As a European commissioner starting in 1995, she developed pivotal humanitarian policies and challenged perceptions about the linkage of humanitarian aid to political actions.
She highlighted the importance of active political engagement in humanitarian efforts, advocating for European intervention in crisis regions such as the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda.
In 1999, under her leadership, the Lista Bonino achieved notable electoral success, becoming the fourth-largest political force in Italy.
She held key political roles in Italy and at the EU
Bonino held key ministerial positions, including foreign minister and trade minister, and was a strong proponent of a unified European foreign and defense policy. “My passion is humanity,” she stated in May 2025, during a ceremony in her hometown where she received honorary citizenship.
Her commitment to social justice extended to international women’s rights, including spending significant time in Egypt where she learned Arabic and collaborated with activists.
She shared a humanitarian mission with Pope Francis
Despite not marrying, Bonino maintained strong familial ties in Piedmont. She recounted her father’s struggles to understand her ambitions and complexity in life, reflecting a relationship marked by affection and a lack of comprehension.
In early 2015, Bonino revealed her lung cancer diagnosis but remained active in her political pursuits. Following treatment, she announced that her cancer was in remission and continued to engage in public life.
Bonino formed a lasting friendship with Pope Francis, even meeting him in November 2024 shortly after a hospital stay. Their conversations revisited the themes of humanitarian work and advocacy for vulnerable populations.
“Many, too many. Human rights, world hunger, free scientific research … Ten lives won’t be enough,” she often remarked when asked about ongoing battles.
Bonino is survived by her siblings, Domenica and Giovanni, and their children.
