# Benjamin Alire Sáenz, first Latino PEN/Faulkner winner, dies at 71

Benjamin Alire Sáenz, the first Latino writer to win the PEN/Faulkner Award, has died at age 71. He was celebrated for his novels and poetry exploring identity, borders, and Chicano experience. His death marks the loss of a trailblazing voice in American literature.

**Importance:** 3/5

## Sources

### World
- [The Guardian World](https://www.theguardian.com/books/2026/aug/03/benjamin-alire-saenz-writer-death) — Mon, 03 Aug 2026 21:44:24 GMT