Elderly woman dies in Spain after eviction that sparked national housing fury, snap election

Maria Del Carmen Abascal, an 87-year-old woman whose eviction became a symbol of the housing crisis in Spain, has died at Madrid’s Gregorio Marañón Hospital. The Tenants Union of Madrid announced her death on Oct. 7, noting she had been hospitalized since her eviction on Sept. 23. Abascal, known as Maricarmen, died just days after an agreement was reached for her to return to her apartment.

Abascal had lived in her home for over 70 years before a real estate company purchased her building and increased her monthly rent from 500 euros to 1,650 euros. This increase exceeded her monthly pension of 1,300 euros. According to the newspaper El País, Abascal was in fragile health and suffered from stress and anxiety following the eviction.

The eviction, which included images of Abascal being removed on a stretcher, triggered nationwide protests and political tension. While Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez promised to address her case in parliament, Abascal had previously blamed Sánchez for the country's housing difficulties.