In brief
Maria Teresa Horta, whose work radically disrupted the norms of her time, leaves behind a powerful legacy in the fight for women's rights.
Maria Teresa Horta, one of the iconic voices of Portuguese feminism, passed away at her home in Lisbon on February 4, 2025. She was 87 years old. Her death was confirmed by her publisher, Dom Quixote, with Portuguese Prime Minister Luis Montenegro praising her as a key figure in the fight for women's liberation.Horta was the last surviving member of the "Three Marias," a trio of influential authors who co-authored the groundbreaking 1972 book "Novas Cartas Portuguesas" ("New Portuguese Letters"). This collection of letters between the three women addressed the struggles faced by women living under the oppressive Portuguese dictatorship, unveiling a harrowing reality of repressed female sexuality. The book's bold content incited severe backlash from the government, resulting in the arrest and prosecution of Horta and her co-authors on charges of indecency and abusing freedom of the press.The repercussions of the book were profound; it sparked outrage among feminists and free press advocates worldwide and garnered significant media attention. In retrospective pieces, such as one from Time magazine in July 1973, the police actions against Horta and her collaborators were labeled as an extreme injustice that mobilized an international protest movement.The Three Marias—comprising Horta, Maria Isabel Barreno, and Maria Velho da Costa—achieved legendary status as feminist icons. Their collective work inspired global literary figures, including Simone de Beauvoir and Adrienne Rich, who publicly expressed their solidarity. The National Organization for Women even recognized the case as a pivotal international feminist cause.Maria Teresa Horta’s contributions to literature and feminism remain influential in shaping the dialogue surrounding women’s rights, and her passing marks the end of an era for Portuguese feminist literature.
