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Hebe de Bonafini (1928–2022)

Hebe María de Bonafini (born December 4, 1928, in Buenos Aires) was a prominent Argentine human rights activist and the founder and longtime president of the Madres de Plaza de Mayo, a grassroots organization formed in 1977 during Argentina's military dictatorship to demand information about the desaparecidos (the disappeared).

Her leadership helped transform a mothers’ tribute into a national and international movement for memory, justice, and human rights. The Madres de Plaza de Mayo organized weekly demonstrations in Plaza de Mayo and became a symbol of resilience, courage, and the demand for accountability for abuses committed during the dictatorship. The organization has continued to advocate for truth, memory, and human rights in Argentina and beyond, while expanding to address contemporary social justice concerns.

Hebe de Bonafini remained a central, sometimes controversial, public voice in Argentine politics. Over the decades some of her statements drew criticism and discussion, reflecting the complex political landscape around memory, justice, and the role of civil society in Argentina.

She died on November 20, 2022, in Buenos Aires, at the age of 93. Her death prompted tributes from national leaders, human rights organizations, and supporters around the world who recognized her lifelong commitment to remembering the victims of repression and to insisting on accountability for past crimes. Her legacy lives on through the continued work of the Madres de Plaza de Mayo and through ongoing memory and justice initiatives in Argentina.

News coverage, archival material, and educational resources about her life and the Madres de Plaza de Mayo are available from major news outlets, museums, and the organization’s official channels. Public profiles and memory projects related to her work are maintained by the Madres de Plaza de Mayo and partner institutions.

Social media: As a historical figure who passed away in 2022, Bonafini herself did not maintain personal active accounts. Public updates about her legacy appear through the Madres de Plaza de Mayo's official channels and in press coverage; those channels continue to post about the organization’s work, memory initiatives, and commemorations.