Renowned artist Jackie Ferrara has sadly passed away at the age of 95, choosing to end her life through medical aid.
Passing away on Wednesday (October 22), Ferrara utilized medical aid in dying, as confirmed by her estate and legacy adviser, Tina Hejtmanek.
In certain US jurisdictions, medical aid in dying (MAID) is permitted for individuals who are terminally ill with a life expectancy of six months or less. These individuals may request a prescription from a physician, which they can take themselves to end their life.
However, as Ferrara was not suffering from a terminal illness, she would not have been eligible for this option in the United States.
According to PEOPLE, Ferrara traveled to Basel, Switzerland, to visit a clinic named Pegasos, which does not require patients to be terminally ill.
In Switzerland, medical aid in dying has been legal since 1942. It differs from euthanasia as the patient self-administers the medication.
Ferrara, celebrated for her distinctive wooden sculptures, recently expressed to The New York Times that while she was in good health, she felt it was her time to leave.
She mentioned having experienced two falls and expressed her desire not to become dependent on others.
“I don’t want a housekeeper,” she explained.
“I never wanted anybody. I was married three times. That’s enough.”
Earlier this year, Holocaust survivor Ruth Posner also chose to end her life via assisted suicide.
Posner had escaped from a Nazi ghetto as a child and went on to build a successful career in dance and drama.
She and her 97-year-old husband Michael both died in Switzerland through assisted suicide, which is legal in the country.
Ruth and Michael informed their family and friends through an email sent after their passing.
The email, which The Times quoted, stated: “So sorry not to have mentioned it, but when you receive this email we will have shuffled off this mortal coil.
“The decision was mutual and without any outside pressure. We had lived a long life and together for almost 75 years. There came a point when failing senses, of sight and hearing, and lack of energy was not living but existing that no care would improve.”
The message continued: “We had an interesting and varied life and except for the sorrow of losing Jeremy, our son. We enjoyed our time together, we tried not to regret the past, live in the present and not to expect too much from the future,” closing with: “Much love Ruth & Mike.”