María del Carmen Abascal Martín, known as Maricarmen, died on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at the age of 87 at Gregorio Marañón Hospital in Madrid, 14 days after being evicted on September 23 from the home on Calle Alcalde Sainz de Baranda, in the Retiro district, where she had lived for more than 70 years.

She was admitted the same day as the eviction with severe exhaustion and stress. Days later a historic agreement was reached with the owner, Urbagestión, mediated by the Madrid City Council, that would have let her return on a rent capped at 30 percent of her income — about 500 euros — for eight years. The solution came too late.

“We regret to report that Maricarmen has died today… Although a historic agreement was reached that would have allowed her to return to her home, this solution came too late. An absolutely avoidable situation after a torturous process.” Madrid Tenants’ Union, family, and lawyer

Her eviction — she was removed on a stretcher after 71 years in the old-rent apartment — set off mass encampments at Puerta del Sol, protests in more than 50 cities, a call for a general strike on November 11, and the calling of a general election for November 29, according to the AXJ post.

Maricarmen has become an international symbol of the housing crisis. Her case illustrates the clash between old-rent contracts, investment funds, and the right to a decent home amid a structural shortage of affordable housing.