Reese Witherspoon has paid her respects to feminist icon Gloria Steinem and acknowledged the incredible impact she had on women worldwide. The “Legally Blonde” actress posted a photo of herself and Steinem, whose death was announced on Thursday, September 3. She was 92.
Reese Witherspoon Mourns Gloria Steinem
The photo, shared on Instagram, shows both stars wearing black, embracing, and smiling for the camera. In the caption, Witherspoon penned a heartfelt tribute about what the late journalist and social activist means to her.
“Gloria Steinem changed how women saw themselves and what was possible…I was one of them,” she began. “When I was deciding whether to do ‘Legally Blonde,’ I watched a documentary where Gloria spoke about the importance of seeing an underestimated woman become the hero of her own story. Her words changed how I saw Elle Woods and helped me say yes. Years later, I got to sit beside Gloria at an event and tell her how much she inspired me.”
She continued, “Gloria was a warrior for change. She wanted equality and freedom for ALL women; she dedicated her whole life to advocating for our fundamental rights. Thank you, Gloria, for your courage, your commitment, and everything you made possible for all women. What a legacy.”
The 2001 comedy film, “Legally Blonde,” remains one of Witherspoon’s most iconic roles. The sequel, “Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde,” was released in 2003, and the films inspired a new series about Elle Woods, titled “Elle.” The Amazon Prime series stars actress Lexi Minetree and was released on July 1, 2026.
Fans, friends, and other celebrities flooded Witherspoon’s post’s comment section with supportive messages. Actress Kerry Washington reacted with several red heart emojis. Other reactions include, “Such a beautiful picture of you both,” “Thank you to Gloria for pathing the way for women’s equality of all nationalities and cultures! Brave, Beautiful, Iconic!” and “What a beautiful memory. Inspiring.”
Remembering Beloved Icon Gloria Steinem
Steinem’s death was announced on her official Instagram page on September 3, but she passed away the day before, on September 2. The announcement also paid tribute to her incredible accomplishments and reflected on her legacy.
“Yesterday, Gloria Steinem passed away peacefully at her home in New York City, surrounded by some of the many who loved her,” the statement begins. “Gloria’s near-century on earth were years well-lived, and she continued working for equality until the very end.” Steinem was praised for her ability to listen to others, and for the work she did to make them feel seen. “Her words, actions, and example gave people permission to be their truest selves. Gloria lived true to her independent spirit, always with curiosity and a great sense of humor,” the statement reads.
The final sentence revealed how Steinem should be honored. “In lieu of flowers, Gloria has asked that those wishing to honor her with a gift may make a donation to Gloria’s Foundation,” the statement reads. The post has been liked over 274,000 times in support and flooded with comments from celebrities and fans.
