Rome, February 2, 2026 – Maria Rita Parsi, an internationally renowned psychologist, psychotherapist, and tireless advocate for the rights of children and adolescents, has passed away in Rome at the age of 78. Her life was marked by an unwavering commitment to the youngest members of society, blending clinical practice with institutional work, scientific research with popular writing, and training with social awareness campaigns.
A Life Dedicated to Children’s Rights
Born in Rome on August 5, 1947, Parsi devoted her entire existence to the study and defense of children’s rights. Following a distinguished career as a lecturer, psycho-pedagogist, and psychotherapist, in 1986 she also ventured into television screenwriting, contributing to the series “Professione vacanze.” However, it was in psycho-animation – a methodology she developed and applied in psychological, pedagogical, and therapeutic contexts – that Parsi left an indelible mark.
Eleonora Daniele, during the live broadcast of “Storie Italiane,” expressed shock at the news, stating, “She wasn’t sick; it seems impossible, I can’t come to terms with this, it’s shocking news for all of us. She was a friend, like family.” Daniele recounted anecdotes, saying, “She would come here in the morning, with her little bottle of water, sit there, smile at me and ask ‘how are you?'” Her death was sudden and unexpected, as evidenced by her public commitments scheduled for the coming weeks.
The School of Psycho-animation and Institutional Engagement
Parsi was the founder of the Italian School of Psycho-animation (Sipa), promoting a humanistic approach to developing human potential and transforming theoretical concepts into concrete tools for help and growth. In 1992, she founded the non-profit organization “Movimento per, con e dei bambini,” which, since 2005, became the Fondazione Movimento Bambino Onlus. Under her leadership, the foundation became a reference point for promoting the culture of childhood and adolescence, combating abuse and mistreatment, and advancing the legal and social protection of children. Her vision was clear: to listen to children, understand their needs, and provide them with concrete tools for protection.
Parsi also brought her expertise to television and media, participating in broadcasts as an expert and hosting programs such as Junior Tv. A regular contributor to publications like Il Messaggero, Il Giorno, Il Resto del Carlino, La Nazione, Oggi, Donna Moderna, and Starbene, she skillfully combined scientific rigor with clear communication, using writing as a means to raise awareness among a broad and diverse audience. Since 1995, she was registered as a publicist journalist with the Lazio Order of Journalists.
Her institutional commitment was equally significant. Since 2021, she was a member of the Ministry of Labor and Social Policies’ working group dedicated to the Child Guarantee, a European initiative to combat poverty and social exclusion among children and adolescents. Since 2020, she served as an expert in the Observatory for Childhood and Adolescence at the Department for Family Policies. Internationally, in 2012, she was elected to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, based in Geneva, an body that oversees the adoption and observance of the International Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Her presence in these bodies helped shape policies attentive to the needs of the youngest and promote high protection standards, not only in Italy but globally. Within the national landscape, she held numerous prominent positions: technical consultant to the Civil Court of Rome, member of the Coordination Committee against the sexual abuse of minors, ex officio member of the Observatory for Childhood and Adolescence, consultant to the parliamentary commission for childhood, member of self-regulatory committees for advertising and television, and commissioner of the Olaf section of Siae. A long and articulated institutional journey, always guided by the same mission: to guarantee children and adolescents protection, listening, and tools for harmonious development.
Prolific Author and Recognized Contributions
Maria Rita Parsi was also a prolific author, with over one hundred publications ranging from psychology to narrative, from scientific essays to popular science. Her psychology books include titles such as “Animazione in borgata” (Savelli, 1976), “Lo scarico” (Savelli, 1978), “I quaderni delle bambine” (Arnoldo Mondadori, 1990), “Le mani sui bambini” (Mondadori, 1998), “S.O.S. Pedofilia. Parole per uccidere l’orco” (Baldini & Castoldi, 2000), “Maladolescenza. Quello che i figli non dicono” (Piemme, 2014) and “Manifesto contro il potere distruttivo” (Chiarelettere, 2019). There are also texts dedicated to training and personal growth such as “Manuale di psicologia e psicoterapia umanistica” (Franco Angeli, 2006) and “Coaching creativo” (Franco Angeli, 2006).
Her contributions were recognized with numerous awards and honors. Knight of the Order of Merit of the Republic since 1986, she received the Paolo Borsellino National Award (2009), the Hemingway Award (2011), the Female Excellence Award (2021), and the Edela Award (2022), among other recognitions that celebrated her social, cultural, and psycho-pedagogical commitment.
Tributes Pour In
Many messages of condolence have been shared. Giuseppe Valditara, Minister of Education and Merit, stated in a note, “In her internationally renowned activity as a psychologist and psychotherapist, Professor Parsi has been and will remain a fundamental reference point in the protection of the health and rights of children and adolescents.” Paola Frassinetti, Undersecretary of Education and Merit, wrote, “She dedicated her life to protecting the most vulnerable, leaving a precious legacy of competence, humanity, and educational attention.”
Matteo Salvini, Deputy Prime Minister and leader of the League, also paid tribute, saying, “A prayer for Maria Rita Parsi, who with her enthusiasm and kindness offered us in recent years a lucid and passionate analysis of the condition of young people. The widespread loneliness and the lack of values to refer to were for her the reason for so much discomfort. Italy loses a high-level professional and a woman who made her profession a mission.” Eugenia Roccella, Minister for Family, Natality, and Equal Opportunities, recalled her commitment to the well-being of children and young people: “She will be missed, not only for the important contribution she made within the anti-bullying and cyberbullying body that we established together with Minister Valditara, but for the sensitivity and competence she put into everything.”
Federico Mollicone, President of the Culture Commission of the Chamber, added, “Her commitment, her passion, and her tireless work for young people will remain a precious example for all of us. We will miss her voice, her free thought, and the enthusiasm with which she knew how to care for others.” Deborah Bergamini, national spokesperson for Forza Italia, said, “With Maria Rita Parsi, we lose an authoritative and passionate scholar. Her work also helped institutional actors to deepen social phenomena concerning younger generations, especially regarding childhood.” Maurizio Gasparri, president of the FI senators, added, “I am very saddened; I had the privilege of having her collaboration in an institutional context for the protection of minors. A sensitive, competent, positive woman, she was a help to many. She always made a contribution of wisdom, combining passion and knowledge of the issues and vulnerabilities, to whose protection she dedicated her life.”
The National Council of the Order of Psychologists expressed “deep sorrow”: “A psychotherapist of extraordinary human and professional depth, who dedicated her entire life to protecting the rights of children and adolescents. With her clinical, scientific, and institutional work – the Order recalls – she represented for decades an essential reference point for Italian and international psychology, contributing decisively to the spread of a culture of listening, protection, and responsibility towards childhood.”
Nicola Graziano, President of UNICEF Italy, wrote, “For boys and girls, Maria Rita Parsi was always there. Her oratorical skills and passion, combined with study and daily commitment, are unforgettable: a powerful combination that made a difference in the many places where she worked, international, national, public, and private. We will continue to feel her by our side on the path to guaranteeing the rights of those who, too often, even in Italy, are voiceless.”
The funeral will be held on Saturday, February 7, at 11:00 AM, in the Church of San Salvatore in Lauro, Rome. The wake will be set up in the same church from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM on Thursday, February 5, and Friday, February 6.
Source: https://roma.corriere.it/notizie/cronaca/26_febbraio_02/maria-rita-parsi-morta-a-roma-psicologa-era-la-voce-dei-diritti-dei-bambini-1791e50e-eb8e-4b38-8990-be2b2ee2dxlk.shtml
