The man and his mission — Ludwig Minelli and Dignitas
Ludwig Minelli, born on December 5, 1932, was a Swiss lawyer and former journalist who took a bold step in 1998 by founding Dignitas. This organization champions the right to die with dignity through assisted suicide, helping individuals who wish to end their lives with autonomy and legal protections.
For decades, Minelli devoted himself to the cause of “self-determination and freedom of choice in life and at the end of life.”
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His final act: choosing assisted death
On November 29, 2025, just a few days shy of his 93rd birthday, Minelli made the profound decision to end his life through assisted suicide at one of Dignitas’s clinics. He was 92 years old.
Dignitas shared that he “chose to end his life,” framing this choice as a reflection of the principles he had long championed: dignity, autonomy, and the right to make one’s own decisions about death.
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Legacy: A polarising but pivotal life’s work
Under Minelli’s guidance, Dignitas emerged as one of the most prominent “right-to-die” organizations globally. By 2024, it had facilitated over 4,000 assisted deaths.
He engaged in numerous legal battles, some of which reached the highest courts. His advocacy played a crucial role in shaping the legal conversation around assisted dying, including influencing a landmark 2011 ruling by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) that affirmed individuals’ rights to determine the timing and manner of their own death.
Through Dignitas, Minelli made assisted dying legally accessible—even for non-Swiss nationals—under regulated conditions for those experiencing unbearable suffering.
However, his work sparked significant debate: while supporters lauded his commitment to personal freedom and compassion for those in pain, critics raised ethical, legal, and societal concerns about the normalization of assisted death.
What does his death signify for the ongoing conversation and future of assisted dying?
Minelli’s decision to take his own life — using the very method he fought to make accessible — serves as a profound and symbolic statement. It highlights his enduring belief that individuals should have the ultimate authority over how they choose to end their lives, particularly when faced with suffering or decline.
In many places where assisted dying is still a contentious issue or outright illegal, his passing could spark renewed debate — prompting discussions about dignity, personal autonomy, ethics, and the need for regulation. Dignitas has expressed its commitment to continue his legacy.
For supporters, this is a reaffirmation of the right-to-die movement. For those against it, it’s a moment to reflect on the necessary safeguards, the potential for misuse, and the moral considerations involved.
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