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In a moving celebration of life, thousands gathered at Centro Espiral in Santiago de Chile this week to pay tribute to Joan Jara who died at the age of 96. The widow of iconic folksinger Victor Jara never gave up.

"We regret to inform that our beloved Joan Jara, at the age of 96, passed away today November 12 at 17:30 hours," the family announced through the Victor Jara Foundation on Sunday.

She was a British-Chilean dancer who became an activist—and left behind a legacy of dedication to human rights and justice.

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The Life of Joan Jara

Joan, also known as Joan Alison Turner, dedicated her life to preserving the memory of her late husband, Victor Jara. 

His tragic death during the 1973 coup in Chile, turned Joan into a fervent advocate for justice.

 In 1984, she authored "An Unfinished Song: The Life of Victor Jara," shedding light on the life and struggles of the legendary folksinger. She also established the Víctor Jara Foundation to further perpetuate her husband's legacy.

Seeking Justice for Victor Jara

For five decades, Joan Jara tirelessly pursued justice for her husband, who was brutally murdered during the political upheaval in Chile. 

In September 1973, Joan’s husband was taken to Chile Stadium after the military coup orchestrated by General Augusto Pinochet.

 Victor Jara was among the supporters of the democratically elected President Salvador Allende. Many of those rounded up faced horrifying fates. Joan would later identify his tortured and bullet-riddled body in the morgue.

In 2016, her quest brought her to Orlando, where she sued Pedro Pablo Barrientos, the accused killer of Victor Jara. Barrientos, a death squad lieutenant in 1973, was found liable for Jara's death. And a $28 million civil trial judgment in favor of the Jara family was awarded.

Barrientos' Deportation

The civil trial exposed Barrientos' lies on his citizenship application papers, leading to the revocation of his U.S. citizenship.

 Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials arrested Barrientos, now 73-years-old in October 2023. He is expected to be deported and extradited to Chile to face charges related to the killing of Victor Jara.

Joan Jara's life serves as a testament to resilience and the relentless pursuit of justice. Although it took her over 40 years, she was able to track down the man who killed her husband. And he will ultimately face charges in Chile.