Renowned Peruvian writer Mario Vargas Llosa has passed away at the age of 89 in Lima. His children confirmed the news through a statement shared on social media, as reported by The New York Times.
Vargas Llosa rose to fame in the 1960s with his novel La ciudad y los perros (The Time of the Hero), a bold critique of the Peruvian military that sparked widespread reactions but also achieved immediate success.
In 2010, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature for his vivid depiction, analysis, and precise portrayal of power structures within society.
A strong liberal voice, Vargas Llosa was an outspoken critic of Latin American dictatorships, including Fidel Castro’s regime. In 1990, he ran for the presidency of Peru but was defeated by Alberto Fujimori.
Among his most famous works are Conversación en La Catedral (Conversation in the Cathedral) and ¿Quién mató a Palomino Molero? (Who Killed Palomino Molero?).
Despite his literary success, Vargas Llosa remained committed to journalism, writing regularly for the Spanish newspaper El País.
His private life also attracted media attention. After a 50-year marriage to Patricia Llosa, he had a relationship with Isabel Preysler, the former wife of singer Julio Iglesias.
Although he spent many years living in Europe, Vargas Llosa maintained a deep connection to Peru.
Author Herman Melville once described Lima as the “strangest and saddest city.” Smiling, Vargas Llosa once remarked, “I’m not sure those are Lima’s greatest problems.”
Mario Vargas Llosa leaves behind a rich legacy of over 50 works that will continue to live on in the hearts of readers worldwide.
