Gloria Steinem, Feminist Icon, Dies at 92

Gloria Steinem died Wednesday at her home in New York City. She was 92.

• Born March 25, 1934, in Toledo, Ohio, she spent her early years traveling with her parents.
• In 1972, she co-founded Ms. Magazine, which continues today under the Feminist Majority Foundation.
• 2013: President Obama awarded her the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
• At 91, she co-wrote a picture book with Nobel laureate Leymah Gbowee, published February 2026.

Why it matters: Steinem was a central organizer and speaker in the women's movement for over six decades, influencing policy debates on reproductive rights, equal pay, and women's political representation.

• She also co-founded the National Women's Political Caucus, the Ms. Foundation for Women, and the Women's Media Center.
• She keynoted the January 2017 Women's March in Washington, one of the largest single-day protests in U.S. history.

How 91 sources split on this story

What’s next: A memoir Steinem completed is set for release this fall.

• Her foundation's social media pages announced her death and called for a global candlelight tribute.
• What impact will her death have on feminist organizations she co-founded?
• How will her forthcoming memoir shape her legacy and public reception?