Mara Rostworowski

María Rostworowski Tovar was a renowned Peruvian historian and anthropologist known for her extensive research on Andean culture, gender studies, and colonial history. Born in Lima, she earned degrees from the Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú and later pursued advanced studies in Europe and the United States.

Rostworowski held significant academic and cultural roles, including serving as the director of the National History Museum (1975–1980) and as a principal researcher at the Institute of Peruvian Studies (IEP). She contributed to numerous publications and was supported by prestigious foundations such as the Ford Foundation, Guggenheim Foundation, and Volkswagen.

Her influential works include "Estructuras andinas del poder: ideología religiosa y política" (1983) and "La mujer en la época prehispánica" (1986). She authored over 40 books and articles, many of which focused on Andean culture, colonial history, and gender roles in Pre-Columbian Peru. Her research earned her international recognition and awards.

Rostworowski was also a centenarian, celebrating her 100th birthday in August 2015. She passed away peacefully on March 6, 2016, leaving behind a lasting legacy as one of Peru's most prominent scholars.