Women’s liberation icon Gloria Steinem, a legendary leader of second-wave feminism, died Wednesday night at her NYC home.
She was 92.
American journalist and women’s liberation icon Gloria Steinem has passed away at 92-years-old. pic.twitter.com/yipR2GMsMV
— Good Morning America (@GMA) September 3, 2026
A post shared to her Instagram account on Thursday read:
“Yesterday, Gloria Steinem passed away peacefully at her home in New York City, surrounded by some of the many who loved her. Gloria’s near-century on earth were years well-lived, and she continued working for equality until the very end.
Gloria’s greatest gift was her ability to listen to others, to make others feel seen and heard. Her words, actions, and example gave people permission to be their truest selves. Gloria lived true to her independent spirit, always with curiosity and a great sense of humor.
She spent her recent years doing the two things she loved most: being in community with others and writing. She has welcomed hundreds of guests into her living room for Talking Circles, a tradition she insisted will continue long after she is no longer with us. As Gloria wrote in her forthcoming book, An Unexpected Life, “I have now lived for more than fifty years in this brownstone, in rooms that have witnessed lives before mine, and will know others after I am gone.” This book, along with her commitment to her home becoming a center for social justice movements, are among the many gifts Gloria has given the world with the hope they have ripple effects for generations to come. Gloria often quoted the adage: “The flap of a butterfly’s wing can change the weather hundreds of miles away.”
Gloria loved the tradition of lighting signal fires on hills to light the way to the other side of the mountain. Lighting your own candle for Gloria makes you part of this global and celestial community circle.
In lieu of flowers, Gloria has asked that those wishing to honor her with a gift, may make a donation to Gloria’s Foundation.”
See for yourself:
Across social media, fans and celebs are reacting to the journalist and author’s death, writing tributes like:
“Gloria Steinem will go down in history as one of the most important activists of all time, leading a movement for the equality of half the world: its women. She lived a long and passionate life dedicated to this vital and basic cause. She did it with intellectual precision, emotional awareness, humour and beauty. May she rest in peace and may the cause thrive”. – Christiane Amanpour
“Generational change doesn’t happen by accident or fate—it takes leaders like Gloria Steinem who work hand in hand with so many others to build a lasting movement. The decades of energy, brilliance, and advocacy she devoted to women’s rights helped so many of us see that we belonged at the tables where decisions are made. Her dedication helped illuminate a simple truth: When women can stand in their power, they invite everyone else to stand a little taller, too. What a light she was for me and so many others. What a debt we owe her” – Melinda French Gates
“It will never cease to amaze me that I had the chance to know you. But- despite your towering stature, your thousands of obligations, the urgency of your mission- you gave so many women the chance to know you. You weren’t just generous with your life force, your vision or your intellect: you were generous with your time, your laughter and even your jewelry (like the time I admired your silver vulva ring and you plucked it off your hand and placed it on mine.) Sitting on your deep sofa, I looked around and thought “this is what a woman should be, and this is how a woman should live.” A room of one’s own, that expressed your vision for what the world should look like, a record of a life in which you took the wheel and never let go. You let me wander in as a lost twenty something, determined that things should change and unsure how or if they could, and you advised me on everything from men (can be fun, aren’t required) to activism (it’s a marathon, not a race.) A few months ago, you welcomed a group of us into your home. The room took on a hush when you spoke, but you knew the effect you had and so you doled out jokes with ease, as if drinking mocktails next to you was the most natural thing in the world. As the party was winding down, you retreated to your bedroom, and when I peaked through the door to wave goodbye you ushered me in. You said you were going to enjoy your favorite indulgence, watching Call The Midwife. Because even when you wanted to chill, you turned on a show about a a group of women whose vocation is to help other women to survive. You worked so hard for us. You gave so much. And your memory will continue to do overtime to remind us what is possible when we are, as the bracelet you once gave me said, “linked not ranked.” I love you Gloria. We all do.” – Lena Dunham
In 2013 President Barack Obama awarded her the Presidential Medal of Freedom — watch:
Barack Obama awards Gloria Steinem the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2013:
“As a writer, a speaker, an activist, she awakened a vast and often skeptical public to problems like domestic violence, the lack of affordable child care, unfair hiring practices. And because of her… pic.twitter.com/1KUDzPRNdn
— FactPost (@factpostnews) September 3, 2026
Gloria Steinem on receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom:
“When I got the call from the White House, I said, ‘Are you sure?’ What makes this medal mean so much is that it’s for waging peace. … As human beings, we are truly linked.” pic.twitter.com/5sdEcFc4YQ
— FactPost (@factpostnews) September 3, 2026
One of her most famous quotes, “Women are not a special interest group. They are half the population.”, is seeing a resurgence today. Even Khloé Kardashian’s old 2012 tweet of it is going viral again:
“The truth will set you free. But first, it will piss you off. ~Gloria Steinem
— Khloé (@khloekardashian) January 11, 2012
Meghan Markle was also good friends with the Ms. Magazine founder, and her loss has deeply affected her.
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She joined in the chorus of those paying tribute on social media, writing on Instagram:
“Celebrating the life and legacy of my friend and mentor, Gloria Steinem, and also grateful to know that in these last few weeks and days she knew exactly how loved and admired she was.
You all know her many accolades and the way in which she helped shape the world for women and all people – “we are linked, not ranked” she would tell me, and the bracelet she gave me said exactly that. I still wear it with pride.
Publicly, we did interviews together, called young voters to encourage them to have their voices heard, attended award ceremonies, and brainstormed how to help this beautiful yet complicated world to become more equitable.
But privately, she was even better than you would imagine- spending Thanksgiving with our family, introducing me to one of my best friends (forever the champion of female friendship), loving our children with her whole heart, counseling me during hard times, and giving extraordinary advice and perspective with a cup of tea and an unrivaled cheekiness and wit.
But my very favorite story about GLO is when she was out one day in NY, and a woman approached her in absolute awe and said she wanted to introduce her young daughter to her (though she was embarrassed to say the young girl may not know who she was).
Gloria replied: “It doesn’t matter if she knows who I am. What matters is that she knows who SHE is.”
Rest in peace, and rest in pride. Look at what you’ve done for all of us. Thank you”
A true trailblazer. Women all across the country have her to thank for pushing the Equal Rights Amendment — which was passed in Congress and ratified by 38 states. May she rest.
[Image via Steve Mack/WENN]
