Feminist Icon Gloria Steinem, Ms. Magazine Co-Founder, Dies at 92

Gloria Steinem, the celebrated author and activist who became one of the most visible symbols and potent voices of the U.S. women's movement, died Wednesday at her home in New York City at the age of 92.

Her foundation announced her passing on Instagram, stating she died peacefully surrounded by loved ones. Former first lady Jill Biden stated Steinem understood that women's equality begins with the freedom to make decisions about their own bodies, health, and futures. Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Steinem pushed open doors not just for herself, but for literally millions of women behind her.

Meghan Markle paid tribute to Steinem as her friend and mentor, sharing a previously unseen photo of Prince Archie with Steinem. Steinem was a co-founder and consulting editor of Ms. Magazine, one of the first publications to focus on women's issues beyond housekeeping and beauty. She co-founded the National Women's Political Caucus in 1971 with Bella Abzug, Shirley Chisholm, and Betty Friedan.

She also created the Coalition of Labor Union Women, the Women's Media Center, Voters for Choice, and the Ms. Foundation for Women. In 2013, then-President Barack Obama awarded her the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest U.S. civilian honor. Steinem was born on March 25, 1934, in Toledo, Ohio. She underwent an illegal abortion in London at age 22, an experience that helped shape her lifelong activism for abortion rights.

She began her career as a journalist, going undercover in 1963 to report on degrading conditions in Hugh Hefner's Playboy empire, an assignment she later regretted. Steinem was known for her signature long, blonde-streaked, center-parted hair and aviator glasses. She married South African businessman and environmentalist David Bale at 66. Steinem was an outspoken critic of Donald Trump, referring to him as the harasser in chief in 2017.