World News

Labor and civil rights leader Dolores Huerta dies at age 96

Huerta co-founded the United Farm Workers with Cesar Chavez; earlier this year she said Chavez sexually abused her.

Updated Oct 29, 2026 · 00:24 UTC5 reports

The short version

Huerta died Wednesday in California at age 96, her family announced.[The Guardian]
She co-founded the United Farm Workers union with Cesar Chavez in the 1960s and 1970s.[BBC News · The Guardian]
Earlier this year Huerta publicly said Chavez sexually abused her in the 1960s; this account is hers and is not independently established here.[The Washington Sun · NPR]
California Governor Gavin Newsom ordered flags flown at half-staff in her honor.[CBS News]

Huerta died on Wednesday in California at age 96, according to a statement from her family.[CBS News · The Guardian]
Huerta co-founded the United Farm Workers union with Cesar Chavez.[BBC News · The Guardian]
In 2012, President Barack Obama presented Huerta a presidential award at the White House.[The Washington Sun · The Guardian]
Huerta publicly said earlier this year that Cesar Chavez sexually abused her in the 1960s, leading to the birth of two children.[The Washington Sun · CBS News · NPR]
California Governor Gavin Newsom ordered flags flown at half-staff in Huerta's honor.[CBS News]

The allegations that Chavez sexually abused Huerta rest on her own public statements; the verified reporting does not independently establish them.[The Washington Sun · NPR]

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.