Ludwig Amadeus Minelli

Ludwig Amadeus Minelli, born in 1932, was a Swiss lawyer and journalist best known as the founder of Dignitas, a non-profit organization that assists individuals seeking assisted suicide. Growing up by Lake Zurich, Minelli initially aspired to become a priest and later pursued journalism, working for notable publications like Der Spiegel. His personal experiences, including the prolonged suffering of his mother, ignited his passion for advocating the right to die with dignity. In 1998, he established Dignitas to provide assistance in dying, which has since helped thousands, including many from abroad. Minelli's work was often met with criticism and legal challenges, yet he remained a pivotal figure in the movement for assisted dying rights until his own passing, which occurred through assisted suicide shortly before his 93rd birthday.