An 87-year-old woman in Spain whose eviction sparked nationwide protests has died.
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Maria del Carmen Abascal faced eviction from her Madrid apartment after living there for 71 years, following a series of rent increases that eventually pushed her monthly payments beyond her pension income.
Although she later secured an agreement allowing her to return to the property, Abascal died shortly afterward.
Spain Protests Sparked by Elderly Woman's Eviction
Abascal's eviction prompted thousands of people to take to the streets, drawing widespread attention to Spain's ongoing housing crisis.
"All my love to Maricarmen's family and loved ones," Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said following Abascal's death. "A hug to everyone today who feels this loss as our own. Rest in peace."
The Madrid Tenants' Union also confirmed her death, describing her case as "a turning point in the history of this country."
Abascal had lived in Madrid's Retiro neighborhood for more than seven decades before authorities forcibly removed her from the property on Wednesday, September 23.
Local reports claim that investment fund Urbagestion acquired the apartment building in 2018 and subsequently introduced significant rent increases.
Abascal initially paid approximately ?500 ($572) per month, but her rent reportedly climbed to as much as ?2,650 ($3,014).
Although the amount later dropped to ?1,650 ($1,877), it remained beyond her means.
With a monthly pension of ?1,350, Abascal could no longer afford to remain in the home she had occupied for 71 years.
Thousands Demonstrated Against Madrid Eviction
Courts previously blocked three attempts to evict Abascal. However, Spain's Supreme Court ruled against her in March, overturning a January 2022 decision in her favor.
After several postponements, authorities proceeded with the eviction, reportedly giving Abascal just 30 minutes to gather her essential belongings.
The decision sparked widespread anger, with reports suggesting that as many as 10,000 demonstrators gathered in her neighborhood, chanting "Shame on you".
Over the following weekend, reports claimed that approximately 950,000 people participated in housing-related demonstrations across Spain.
Abascal's lawyer, Beatriz Duro, subsequently entered negotiations in an effort to secure her return.
During a press conference on Monday, September 28, Duro said there had been "goodwill from both parties," with discussions making progress.
The negotiations produced a new eight-year rental agreement that would allow Abascal to pay approximately 30% of her monthly income, bringing her rent closer to its original amount.
Following her eviction, Abascal entered the hospital for treatment after suffering exhaustion.
Reports at the time indicated that she planned to sign the agreement once her health improved.
