Legendary Author Mario Vargas Llosa Passes Away at 89

Madrid, Spain – Mario Vargas Llosa, the renowned Peruvian novelist and Nobel laureate, passed away on April 13, 2025, in Lima. He was 89 years old. The news was confirmed by his children, Álvaro, Gonzalo, and Morgana Vargas Llosa, who released a heartfelt statement noting his peaceful passing surrounded by family.

Born in Arequipa on March 28, 1936, Vargas Llosa was a pivotal figure in contemporary literature, celebrated for his exploration of power structures and the human condition. His notable works include ‘Conversation in the Cathedral’, ‘The Time of the Hero’, and ‘The Feast of the Goat’. The 2010 Nobel Prize winner leaves behind a vast literary legacy that will resonate through generations.

“We are deeply saddened by the loss of our father,” the statement reads. “He enjoyed a long, adventurous, and fruitful life, and leaves behind a body of work that will outlive him. His departure will certainly sadden his family, friends, and readers, but we take comfort in his literary contributions.”

Following his wishes, there will be no public ceremony, and instead, his remains will be cremated. The family requested privacy as they mourn and celebrate his life in the company of close friends.

In his final months, Vargas Llosa published his last novel, marking a farewell to fiction and solidifying his influence in literary circles. His resignation from his long-running column in ‘EL PAÍS‘ was also a poignant farewell to journalism, a field in which he engaged passionately through discourse on contemporary social and political issues.

Vargas Llosa’s contributions to literature were defined by an intellectual curiosity and a commitment to engage in critical debates. Throughout his career, he transitioned from a progressive stance in moral issues to a neoliberal approach in economic discourse, which often puzzled his readership.

His complex relationship with politics included a pronounced break with Cuba’s communist regime, an ideological shift that redirected his literary influences toward liberalism, inspired by thinkers like Karl Popper and Isaiah Berlin. He unfailingly intertwined literature with his political beliefs, asserting that both were vital to individual freedom.

Vargas Llosa’s literary journey began at age 23 with his first collection of short stories, ‘The Chiefs’. He rose to prominence during the Latin American literary boom, with works that echoed the struggles of dictatorial regimes in the subcontinent, standing alongside contemporaries like Gabriel García Márquez and Julio Cortázar.

Throughout his illustrious career, Vargas Llosa received numerous accolades, including the Miguel de Cervantes Prize and the Princess of Asturias Award. He was a member of the Royal Spanish Academy, demonstrating his vast influence not only in literature but also in cultural discourse.

His death marks the end of an era for Latin American literature, reflecting the loss of a literary giant whose voice was instrumental in shaping modern narratives. His impact on readers and writers alike will be felt for years to come.