Emma Bonino, Italy’s activist commissioner, dies at 78
The lifetime public servant had a decades-long career straddling unpredictable national politics and the bloc’s evolving political system.
Emma Bonino, a renowned Italian activist and European heavyweight, passed away at the age of 78, according to her party Più Europa. A former European commissioner, member of the European Parliament, and influential figure in both Brussels and Rome, Bonino dedicated her life to activism, particularly in the realms of international human rights and European federalism.
Born in rural Piedmont, she became politically active after facing an illegal abortion in 1974, which inspired her to join the feminist movement and launch civil-disobedience demonstrations. She entered politics by winning a seat in the Italian parliament in 1979 and later became a three-time minister. In the European Union, Bonino was instrumental in establishing the bloc as a champion of human rights and a proponent of European federalism.
She served as Italy's European commissioner, advocating for humanitarian aid, consumer policy, and fisheries. Bonino was known for her unwavering commitment to her principles and her direct, often blunt communication style, which earned her both admirers and detractors in the EU. Throughout her career, she maintained personal relationships with influential figures like Pope Francis, despite ideological differences.
Bonino continued to be a respected stateswoman until her passing, leaving a lasting legacy in both Italian and European politics.
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