Particle.news

Emma Bonino Dies at 78

Her party Più Europa confirmed her death after a week‑long hospitalisation that closed a decade‑long fight with small‑cell lung cancer.

Overview

  • Più Europa announced Bonino’s death on Friday, September 11, and major Italian outlets corroborated the report.
  • She was taken to Rome’s Ospedale Santo Spirito after a respiratory crisis on Monday, September 7, spent time in intensive care and was later moved to a private facility before her death.
  • Bonino had been treated for small‑cell lung cancer first diagnosed in 2015, said she was cured in 2023, and had recurrent respiratory hospital admissions in October 2024 and November 2025.
  • Her half‑century public career combined Radical movement street campaigns for divorce and abortion with senior roles in institutions as MEP, European Commissioner for humanitarian aid, minister, senator and founder of +Europa.
  • Più Europa issued a formal mourning note and leaders across the political spectrum paid tribute, leaving a leadership gap at +Europa and raising questions about the future direction of liberal, pro‑European politics in Italy.