Gloria Steinem, the pioneering American feminist icon, journalist, and author who co-founded Ms. magazine and led the second wave of the women’s movement, died peacefully at her home in New York City at the age of 92, according to an Instagram statement released by her foundation on Thursday.
Early Life, Undercover Reporting, and the Rise of Ms. Magazine
Steinem first gained national attention in 1963 when she went undercover as a «Playboy Bunny» to expose working conditions at the Playboy Club in New York, according to the foundation’s statement and historical reporting cited by Store norske leksikon. By the late 1960s and early 1970s, she emerged as a central figure in the second wave of feminism in the United States, campaigning for workplace equality, reproductive rights, and political representation.
In 1968, Steinem co-founded New York Magazine. A few years later, in 1972, she helped launch the feminist publication Ms. magazine, serving as its editor for 15 years. The magazine made feminist discourse and the work of the women’s movement accessible to a broad public across the United States. Beyond her media ventures, Steinem helped establish numerous women’s and feminist organizations globally.
Activism, Honors, and Cultural Legacy
Steinem’s activism extended far beyond domestic gender equality. She was also a peace activist who protested the Vietnam War, and she was arrested in the 1980s during an anti-apartheid demonstration outside the South African embassy. Over the decades, she authored several books—including a biography of Marilyn Monroe—delivered lectures, and participated in political campaigns.
In recognition of her decades of advocacy, then-President Barack Obama awarded Steinem the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the United States’ highest civilian honor, in 2013. Her life and career have been commemorated in popular culture, notably in the 2020 HBO series Mrs. America, where she was portrayed by actor Rose Byrne, and in the 2020 biographical film The Glorias. Most recently, Steinem released a memoir titled An Unexpected Life.
Did you know?
Gloria Steinem was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama in 2013. Her foundation noted in its statement that she continued working for equality «until the very end.»
Frequently Asked Questions
How old was Gloria Steinem when she died?
According to her foundation, Gloria Steinem died at the age of 92.
What was Gloria Steinem best known for?
Steinem was a prominent American journalist, author, and political activist who served as a front figure for the second wave of the feminist movement in the United States and co-founded Ms. magazine.
What major honors did Gloria Steinem receive?
In 2013, Steinem received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award in the United States, presented by President Barack Obama.
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