Lima, Peru | April 13, 2025 — Mario Vargas Llosa, the Peruvian literary giant and Nobel laureate, passed away peacefully on Sunday at the age of 89. His family announced his death, marking the end of an era for Latin America’s literary golden generation.

“It is with deep sorrow that we announce that our father, Mario Vargas Llosa, passed away peacefully in Lima today, surrounded by his family,” his eldest son, Alvaro, wrote in a statement on social media, signed by his siblings Gonzalo and Morgana Vargas Llosa. The writer’s deteriorating health had been a concern in recent months, during which he lived out of the public eye.

Born into a middle-class family in Peru, Vargas Llosa was one of the central figures in the Latin American literary “boom” of the 1960s and 1970s, alongside fellow authors Gabriel García Márquez and Julio Cortázar. His contributions to literature were groundbreaking, with works like La ciudad y los perros (“The City and the Dogs”) and Conversación en la catedral (“Conversation in the Cathedral”) delving into the social and political realities of Latin America.

Vargas Llosa’s family expressed that, despite the sadness surrounding his passing, his extensive body of work would endure for generations. “We hope that they will find comfort, as we do, in the fact that he enjoyed a long, adventurous, and fruitful life, and leaves behind him a body of work that will outlive him,” the statement read.

A Legacy of Intellectual Genius

Vargas Llosa’s impact went beyond literature. His intellectual contributions shaped the cultural and political landscapes of Latin America and beyond. In his later years, he remained active, celebrating his 89th birthday in March 2025 in Lima and publishing his final works, Cinco Esquinas (“Five Corners”) and Le Dedico Mi Silencio (“I Dedicate My Silence to You”).

Though widely praised for his sharp critiques of social and political issues, Vargas Llosa was not without controversy. Some South American intellectuals criticized his conservative political stances. Nevertheless, his works were translated into over 30 languages, earning him a dedicated global following.

Global Tributes

Vargas Llosa’s death has prompted an outpouring of tributes from across the globe. Peruvian President Dina Boluarte described the writer’s intellectual legacy as “enduring,” while former Colombian President Álvaro Uribe called him a “Master of Masters.” U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau expressed his sorrow, noting that Vargas Llosa’s themes transcended national boundaries.

His contributions were also recognized in France, where he was named to the prestigious Pleiade literary collection in 2016, becoming the first foreign author to be honored while still alive. In 2021, he was inducted into France’s Academy of prominent intellectuals.

A Quiet Farewell

In accordance with his wishes, Vargas Llosa’s family announced that there would be no public ceremony following his death. His body will be cremated, and the family has requested privacy for a final farewell with close friends and family.

As the world mourns his passing, the literary world remembers Mario Vargas Llosa as a towering figure whose works will continue to inspire readers for years to come.