Widow of the communist leader, former federal deputy and former senator for the Rio de JaneiroLuiz Carlos Prestes (PCB), Maria Prestes died on Friday night (4), in the state capital, at the age of 92, a victim of complications from Covid-19. The information was confirmed by the Communist Party of Brazil (PCdoB) and family members.
Maria Prestes was the communist leader’s companion for about 40 years, most of them lived in exile, they even lived ten years in Moscow, in Russia. In Brazil, they went through long periods of clandestine political action.
The two had seven children. Hospitalized at the end of last month, in a hospital in Rio de Janeiro, after the diagnosis of the disease, she turned 92 last Wednesday (2).
The death of Maria Prestes generated repercussions.
In a post on Twitter, former president Dilma Rousseff (PT) stated that Maria was a “brave fighter who spent almost a century fighting for a better world”.
THE PCdoB issued a note, in which, in one of the excerpts, it highlights:
“The struggle for socialism loses one of its warriors, but her example and legacy fill with hope those who continue to raise her flag and inspire the new generations who have followed her path. The PCdoB, moved and honored to have lived together and been enriched by his contributions, pays the most heartfelt tributes to his memory”.
Maria Prestes’ granddaughter, Ana Prestes spoke on a social network about her grandmother’s death. “A great Brazilian left. Dona Maria Prestes, who was also Maria do Carmo or Altamira or whatever names she needed to use to keep fighting for freedom, democracy and social justice. A communist proud of her struggle and the most wonderful grandmother anyone could ever have.”
President of the Legislative Assembly of the State of Rio de Janeiro (alerj), André Ceciliano (EN) also made a post. “I receive with great sadness the news of the death of Dona Maria Prestes, a militant of the Brazilian Communist Party and widow of Luiz Carlos Prestes. A great revolutionary who will certainly be sorely missed. Her legacy lives on. My sympathies to friends and family,” she said.
Along the same lines was the governor of maranhão, Flávio Dino (PSB). “My tributes to the family, and to the companions of Maria Prestes, who left us. She made history, alongside her husband Luís Carlos Prestes. This photo was when Maria visited the Palácio dos Leões”.
Former federal deputy (PT-RJ), with a passage through the presidency of the Rio de Janeiro section of OAB, Wadih Damous mourned the death of the communist militant. “Not long ago, Dona Maria Prestes, revolutionary, militant of the Brazilian Communist Party. The companion Maria was the widow of Luiz Carlos Prestes. Oppressed peoples around the world mourn this loss. It was bad a valuable life that Covid-19 took.”
Federal deputy Jandira Feghali (PCdoB-RJ) also spoke. “Maria Prestes is gone. At the age of 92, like his companion Luís Carlos Prestes. Women should be eternal such generosity and resilience they keep in themselves. Will be greatly missed. I will keep your strength, your struggle, your love for the people and your courage in honor of your history”, published the parliamentarian.
The wake of the body of Maria Prestes takes place on Sunday morning (6), at Palácio Tiradentes, belonging to Alerj and former seat of the Chamber of Deputies, where Luiz Carlos Prestes made many speeches in his parliamentary life. Her ex-husband died in 1990, also at the age of 92.
Source: CNN Brasil
