- Jackie Ferrara, a legendary sculptor, ended her life through assisted dying in Switzerland.
- The 95 year old artist said she did not want to become dependent on others despite being in good health.
- Assisted dying is legal in Switzerland but not in many U.S. states, which made her travel for the procedure.
- Ferrara’s legacy lives on in major museums, including the Museum of Modern Art.
Jackie Ferrara, one of the most respected names in modern sculpture, has ended her life through assisted dying in Switzerland at 95. Ferrara, whose works are featured in top art institutions including the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), made the decision after concluding she was ready to leave on her own terms.
Her estate confirmed that she died on October 22 at Pegasos, a nonprofit clinic in Basel known for offering medically supervised assisted dying. In her final interview with The New York Times, Ferrara said she was not afraid of death. What she feared was losing control of her independence.
ATTENTION: Click “HERE” to join our WhatsApp group and receive News updates directly on your WhatsApp!
READ ALSO: Tinubu Grants Clemency, Relocates Prerogative Of Mercy Secretariat To Justice Ministry
Ferrara admitted she was still “in good health,” but said two recent falls reminded her of her deepest worry: needing others to take care of her. “I don’t want a housekeeper. I never wanted anybody,” she said candidly. “I was married three times. That’s enough.”
Although some U.S. states have medical aid in dying laws, including Oregon, California, Colorado and Vermont, these laws only apply to terminally ill patients. Ferrara did not qualify because she was not terminally sick. Switzerland, however, allows assisted dying even when the person is not terminally ill, as long as the decision is voluntary and self-administered.
Ferrara traveled alone to Pegasos, a clinic known for its clear policy on personal autonomy. Unlike euthanasia, where a doctor administers the drug, Switzerland’s assisted dying law requires that the person take the medication themselves. The law has been in place since 1942.
READ ALSO: Tinubu Revokes Maryam Sanda’s Pardon
Ferrara leaves behind a remarkable legacy: decades of intricate, structured wooden sculptures that reshaped how people experience art in public spaces. Her works are known for their clean lines, layered geometry, and deeply thoughtful design, a mix that made her one of the most unique voices in contemporary sculpture.
Even in her final act, Ferrara remained consistent with who she was independent, firm, and unapologetically in control of her story.
