Dolores Huerta Accuses César Chávez of Abuse, Reveals Personal Struggles

At almost 96 years aged, Dolores Huerta, co-founder of the United Farm Workers movement, has revealed she was a victim of abuse by César Chávez, the iconic leader of the movement. Huerta’s decision to share her story came after learning of other women’s allegations against Chávez, prompting her to break decades of silence.

Huerta Details Abuse and Pregnancy

In an interview with N+ Univision 34, Huerta confessed that she became pregnant as a result of the abuse. She explained that she remained silent for years to protect Chávez and the farmworker movement. “To suppose that a person that we admired as our hero, our leader, could, could have done such subpar things, well, it was time, it was time that I also had to come out with my story,” Huerta stated.

New Allegations and Chávez’s Legacy

Huerta expressed shock and pain upon learning of allegations that Chávez abused young girls. “About young girls? I had no idea. For me it was such a horrible thing. It’s very difficult to understand such an intelligent, dedicated person. But I think it’s because there is no respect for women,” she said. She described Chávez as having “two faces,” acknowledging both his achievements as a leader and the now-revealed abusive actions.

A Secret Kept for Decades

Huerta admitted that she had prepared to take the secret of the abuse to her grave. “It could be turning 96 in two weeks. If I hadn’t taken him to my grave, right?” she said. Though, the emergence of new allegations prompted her to speak out. Even her brother, Ricky, was unaware of what had happened.

Huerta’s Reflections on Chávez

Huerta stated that, at the time, she did not view Chávez as her abuser, but rather as a leader capable of achieving significant change. If she could confront Chávez today, she would inquire, “How could he do such bad actions? As a person who thousands and thousands of people looked up to as a leader and hero and as a person who advocated for non-violence and who could not see what he was doing, violence and violence against those young women, no? A very, very sad thing.”

Call to Action and Community Resilience

Despite the pain caused by these revelations, Huerta urged the Latino community to channel their anger into positive action, particularly through electoral participation. “I ask you to please get involved in the elections because at this time in 2026 we have very significant elections and we can get those guys out of Congress,” she said. Huerta chose to share her story in Spanish to connect directly with her community, emphasizing the importance of resilience in the face of ongoing challenges.

Recent Investigations into Chávez’s Conduct

These revelations follow a New York Times investigation published on March 18, 2026, which detailed allegations of sexual abuse against Chávez, including accusations of raping Dolores Huerta in 1966 and abusing two young girls in the 1970s. Dolores Huerta issued a statement acknowledging the abuse and explaining her decades of silence to protect the farmworker movement. César Chávez and Dolores Huerta previously led a movement that won better wages and conditions for farmworkers.