Gloria Steinem Dies, Awarded Princess of Asturias 2021

Gloria Steinem, the feminist who challenged the status quo

How does one say goodbye to a feminist icon? With a headline that seems more like a joke than news: “Feminist legend dies, you won’t believe her surname.” Beyond the clickbait, the news is real: Gloria Steinem, writer and journalist, has passed away. However, her legacy remains controversial.

A Life Dedicated to Feminism

Steinem was one of the most influential voices in American feminism. Her father was Jewish, the son of immigrants from Württemberg, and her paternal grandmother, Pauline Perlmutter Steinem, was president of the educational committee of the National Woman Suffrage Association. That heritage marked her activism. She founded Ms. magazine and became an icon of the Second Wave of Feminism.

In Spain, her figure was recognized with the Princess of Asturias Award for Communication and Humanities in 2021. But her death has peine a debate: while some consider her a pioneer, others view her as a controversial activist.

Mixed Reactions

The reactions on social media have been, to say the least, varied. Some voices have pointed to her alleged ties to the CIA, a conspiracy theory that has circulated for decades. Others have criticized her role in transforming the traditional family unit.

There have also been comments alluding to her Jewish background in a derogatory tone, a reminder that antisemitism remains present in public debate.

The truth is that Steinem left no descendants, a fact some have used to attack her legacy. But her influence on the feminist movement is undeniable.

The question now is: how will a figure who generated as much support as rejection be remembered? Time, as always, will tell. And in the meantime, the Steinem name will remain a magnet for controversy.