Photos of Madrid protests after an 87-year-old woman’s eviction from her longtime home

Maricarmen, 87, waits at home for police to arrive before being evicted from the home where she lived in Madrid, Spain, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026.

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Maricarmen, the 87-year-old woman whose eviction shook Spain, has died in hospital

Maricarmen, the 87-year-old woman whose eviction shook Spain, has died in hospital

María del Carmen Abascal, an 87-year-old woman whose eviction from her Madrid home sparked protests across Spain, has died. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and Housing Minister Isabel Rodríguez expressed condolences. Known as “Maricarmen,” she became a symbol for renters struggling with Spain's housing crisis. Her eviction on September 23 led to nationwide protests. Despite a deal allowing her to return home, her health worsened. Her lawyer, Beatriz Duro, highlighted the impact of evictions on health. Maricarmen's case has galvanized a social movement, leading to a general strike and early elections called by Sánchez.