Paola Roldán

A psychologist and business owner by profession, Paola was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in 2020. In August 2023, she became a key figure in the fight for the right to a dignified death in Ecuador by filing a public action of unconstitutionality against Article 144 of the Penal Code, which criminalized simple homicide and prohibited the practice of euthanasia.

In February 2024, Ecuador’s Constitutional Court ruled in Paola’s favor. This historic ruling made Ecuador the second Latin American country to decriminalize euthanasia for everyone. One month later, on March 11, Paola passed away peacefully at the age of 42, surrounded by her family.