Mexican journalist and essayist Elena Poniatowska was awarded on Tuesday, Nov. 19, with the Cervantes Literature Award, the highest achievement in Spanish literature.
According to ABC, the 81-year-old Mexican writer became the fourth woman to receive the award in its 38 year history, following in the footsteps of María Zambrano (1988), Ana María Matute (2010) and Dulce María Loynaz (1992).
The announcement was made on Tuesday by the Spanish Minister of Education, Culture and Sports, José Ignacio Wert, highlighting Poniatowska's successful career as an author of over 40 books, which have "contributed to the enrichment of the Hispanic literary legacy."
A jury comprised of 11 members, including the last two winners of the Cervantes Award, writers José Manuel Caballero Bonal and Nicanor Parra, and the director of the Royal Academy of the Spanish Language, José Manuel Blecua, gave the award to the Mexican writer "for her brilliant literary trajectory in various genres."
According to ABC, the jury highlighted Poniatowska's work in narrative and journalism, where the Mexican writer has stood out for more than 40 years.
"Her works stand out for their firm commitment to contemporary history. She's an author of emblematic works what describe the 20th century from an international projection. Elena Poniatowska constitutes one of the most powerful voices of the Spanish literature in recent times," said the jury in a press release.
The Mexican writer will receive the award from the hands of King Juan Carlos, who will present her with the 125,000 Euro ($167,550) award in a solemn ceremony to be carried out in the University of Alcalá de Henares in Spain April 23, reported El Universal.