Quino, the creator of Mafalda, dies at the age of 88

Argentine cartoonist Joaquín Salvador Lavado, known as Quino and popular for being the creator of Mafalda, died this Wednesday in Mendoza, his hometown, at the age of 88, sources from the author's environment have confirmed to Efe.

The son of Spaniards and holder of awards such as the Prince of Asturias Prize for Communication and Humanities and the Medal of the Order and Letters of France, Quino developed the adventures of his most popular character between 1964 and 1973, although the stories of the iconic girl have been replicated around the world until today.

A few years ago, the author, who had moved to Mendoza from Buenos Aires at the end of 2017 after becoming a widower, suffered from health problems and was wheelchair-bound, although he continued to attend various tributes to his work.

The family explained that his death was due to "reasons related to his age and health in recent times", having lived his life "fully". Because of the recent death, they have not yet decided what the funeral will be like, which is taking place in a context of strong restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Among the many reactions on social networks, after the death, is that of Ediciones de la Flor, the publisher responsible for Quino's work, which has paid tribute to him on Twitter with the publication of one of his strips.

On 17 July, the emblematic cartoonist had celebrated 88 years with his family in Mendoza, a day on which the Ministry of Culture of the southern country defined him on its social networks as "the creator of a part of Argentine culture" and recalled that Mafalda "has accompanied millions of followers of his stories and reflections with humour and learning over many years".

Mafalda, the little troublemaker and social fighter whose image and timeless and ironic messages for a better world have gone around the world, became his best known work, although he created many other characters.