Maricarmen Abascal, Symbol of Spain's Housing Crisis Protests, Dies at 87

María del Carmen Abascal, an 87-year-old Spanish woman known widely as "Maricarmen," whose recent eviction became a powerful symbol of Spain's ongoing housing crisis, passed away on Wednesday, October 7, 2026. Her death occurred in a hospital, approximately two weeks after she was forcibly removed from her Madrid apartment where she had resided for over seven decades. Abascal's eviction, which saw her carried out on a stretcher, sparked widespread national protests and ignited a fierce political debate surrounding housing affordability and tenant protections in Spain.

Maricarmen's situation garnered significant attention after an investment firm acquired her building and sought to drastically increase her rent. Despite living on a pension and having consistently paid her previous rent, the proposed hike, from around €500 to €2,650, made her continued tenancy impossible. Her eviction on September 23, 2026, despite attempts by activists to prevent it, led to mass demonstrations across Spain, with thousands taking to the streets to demand stronger tenant rights and government intervention.

Her case underscored the struggles faced by many vulnerable tenants amidst rising rents and a shortage of affordable housing. The public outrage and protests ultimately contributed to a snap general election being called for November 29, 2026, with housing issues expected to be a central theme of the campaign. Even though an agreement was reportedly reached for Maricarmen to return to her home at a similar rent, her death occurred before she could do so, leading the Madrid Tenants' Union to state that "this solution came too late."