Mario Vargas Llosa, the Nobel Prize-winning Peruvian author, passed away on Sunday at the age of 89. He was surrounded by his family in Lima at the time of his death. Vargas Llosa was a monumental figure in Latin American literature.
Today we remember literature laureate Mario Vargas Llosa, who passed away yesterday at the age of 89 in his native Peru.
Vargas Llosa was a significant figure in Latin American literature and culture. His extensive body of work includes over 30 novels, as well as plays, essays,… pic.twitter.com/e1yqTAWiwk
— The Nobel Prize (@NobelPrize) April 14, 2025
His works often explored themes of male violence, societal disruption, and authoritarian politics. He used powerful imagery and fantastical storytelling to bring these topics to life. Born in Arequipa, Peru, Vargas Llosa spent part of his childhood in Bolivia before returning to his home country.
Mario Vargas Llosa, the Nobel Prize-winning author who ran for president in his native Peru and wrote vivid novels that explored themes of despotism, corruption and fanaticism in Latin America, has died https://t.co/zXtzMvTN34 via @WSJ
— Erwan Le Noan (@erwanlenoan) April 14, 2025
It is with great sadness that I have learned of the passing of Peruvian novelist Mario Vargas Llosa.
The Nobel Prize-winning author had a strong connection to New York City, where he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Letters degree from @CityCollegeNY.https://t.co/uJl3do59TC
— Mayor Eric Adams (@NYCMayor) April 14, 2025
His experiences at a military academy in Peru inspired his first book, “The Time of the Hero,” published in 1962. The novel sparked controversy and angered the Peruvian military elite, but it also launched his long and impactful literary career. Throughout his life, Vargas Llosa lived in various cities, including Paris, Lima, and Madrid.
It is with deep sorrow that we announce that our father, Mario Vargas LLosa, passed away peacefully in Lima today, surrounded by his family.@morganavll pic.twitter.com/c6HgEfyaIe
— Álvaro Vargas Llosa (@AlvaroVargasLl) April 14, 2025
Vargas Llosa’s literary legacy
He faced controversies, such as criticism from Peru’s top generals and his comments on feminism and the plight of Mexican journalists. However, his works continued to be celebrated and translated into multiple languages.
In 1990, Vargas Llosa ran for president of Peru as a candidate for a right-wing party but was defeated. He remained a prominent figure in literature, often stating that literature transcends politics and encompasses all aspects of life. Vargas Llosa’s son announced that he was “at peace” at the time of his death.
The author leaves behind a legacy of profound literary contributions that shed light on the complexities of Latin American life and politics. Tributes poured in from around the world. In Spain, where Vargas Llosa spent significant portions of his life, King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia expressed their condolences.
They wrote on social media that “the Olympus of universal literature has opened its doors to Mario Vargas Llosa.
Vargas Llosa was a significant figure in Latin America’s literary boom of the 1960s and 1970s, alongside other literary giants such as Gabriel Garcia Marquez and Julio Cortázar. His works have left a lasting impact on global literature, influencing generations of writers and readers alike.
