Beloved Children’s Author Robert Munsch to End Life Through Physician-Assisted Suicide Amid Dementia and Parkinson’s Diagnosis

Robert Munsch, 80, has announced he will die by physician assisted suicide

Renowned Canadian children’s book author Robert Munsch, known for classics including The Paper Bag Princess and Love You Forever, has announced plans to end his life through physician-assisted suicide after being diagnosed with dementia and Parkinson’s disease. The 80-year-old author received approval for Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) under Canadian law, which allows adults with serious medical conditions to request euthanasia, even if they are not terminally ill.

Munsch, who has published 85 books over his career, explained he will choose to die once he begins experiencing severe difficulty speaking and communicating, emphasizing that Canadian law requires patients to give consent at the time of death. “Until that time, I have to pick the moment when I can still ask for it,” Munsch said, acknowledging the limitations of the law.

The author is known for traveling around Canada and performing for school children

Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Munsch moved to Canada in 1975, publishing his first book Mud Puddle shortly after. He rose to prominence with works like The Paper Bag Princess, which sold more than 7.5 million copies, and Love You Forever, inspired by personal heartbreak following the loss of two stillborn children. His books have become staples in classrooms across North America, combining imaginative storytelling with lessons drawn from his own life.

Munsch’s career was marked by periods of personal struggle. He battled depression, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, alcoholism, and cocaine addiction, seeking help through therapy, medication, and support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous. In 2008, he suffered a stroke that temporarily erased his memory of his stories, but he regained his narrative abilities with the help of speech therapy and daily practice.

Munsch has published 85 books over his lengthy career

Despite health challenges, Munsch continued to publish new works, including Bounce in 2023 and an updated edition of The Perfect Paper Airplane set for release this fall. His contributions earned him a star on Canada’s Walk of Fame and membership in the Order of Canada in 1999.

Canadian law allowing assisted dying has evolved since its 2016 enactment, initially requiring terminal illness but later expanding to include non-terminal conditions. The system prioritizes patient autonomy but has faced criticism for extending euthanasia to individuals whose deaths could be avoidable through social support or treatment. Physicians performing MAID describe the practice as providing dignity and choice, though some express discomfort with ending lives when alternatives may exist.

Munsch was awarded a star on Canada's Walk of Fame in Toronto in 2009

Munsch cited watching his brother’s prolonged suffering from Lou Gehrig’s disease as a guiding factor in his decision. He described the choice with characteristic dark humor, saying the application for euthanasia involved asking, “Hello Doc—come kill me! How much time do I have? Fifteen seconds!” Scholastic Canada paid tribute to Munsch, noting that “his stories will live on for generations,” echoing the refrain from his bestselling book Love You Forever.