Gloria Steinem, the pioneering American journalist, author and feminist activist who became one of the most recognisable voices of the women’s rights movement, has died at the age of 92.
Steinem died on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, at her home in New York City, according to statements from her foundation and social media pages. Her foundation said she died peacefully surrounded by people who loved her. No cause of death was given.
For more than six decades, Steinem used journalism, public speaking and grassroots organising to campaign for gender equality and broader social change. She became particularly prominent during the rise of the modern women’s movement in the United States, challenging discrimination against women in the workplace, politics and wider society.
Born on March 25, 1934, in Toledo, Ohio, Steinem had an unconventional childhood. Her father worked as a travelling antique salesman, and the family spent much of her early life moving from place to place. After her parents divorced when she was 10, she spent much of her youth caring for her mother. She later attended Smith College and graduated in 1956.
Steinem initially built her reputation as a journalist. In 1963, she gained national attention after working undercover at a Playboy Club and reporting on the treatment and working conditions of women employed there. The resulting article, A Bunny’s Tale, became one of the assignments that helped establish her as an important journalist.
Her transition from journalism into full-time activism developed during the late 1960s. A 1969 meeting at which women publicly discussed their experiences with abortion became a significant turning point in her life. From then on, she increasingly devoted herself to organising and campaigning for women's rights, reproductive freedom and equality.
In the 1970s, Steinem helped establish Ms. Magazine, which became an influential publication covering women's rights and feminist issues. She also helped found the National Women's Political Caucus, an organisation created to encourage women to participate more actively in political life. Her activism eventually extended beyond the United States, with campaigns and public appearances addressing issues including violence against women, civil rights and peace.
Her influence continued long after the height of the women's movement. Steinem remained active well into her 80s, travelling, speaking publicly and supporting younger generations of activists. She also co-founded the Women's Media Center in 2005, focusing on women's representation and visibility in the media.
Steinem received numerous honours during her lifetime. In 2013, then-President Barack Obama awarded her the Presidential Medal of Freedom, one of the United States' highest civilian honours.
Her career was not without controversy. Steinem faced criticism from political opponents and disagreements within the feminist movement itself. Her public profile, appearance and personal choices were frequently scrutinised, sometimes overshadowing the issues she sought to advance. Nevertheless, she remained a prominent advocate for equality and continued to defend the causes that had defined her public life.
News of her death has prompted tributes from political leaders, activists and prominent figures who described her as a trailblazer whose work influenced generations of women.
Steinem leaves behind a legacy that extends beyond the organisations she helped create. Through journalism, activism and public advocacy, she helped move women's equality from the margins of public debate into the centre of American political and social conversation. Her death marks the end of a remarkable life dedicated to challenging discrimination and expanding the possibilities available to women.