Cecilia Giménez, known for her attempt to restore the “Ecce Homo” fresco in Borja, Spain, died on Monday at the age of 94. The Sanctuary of Mercy confirmed her death and highlighted her “enormous generosity” over the years.
Giménez had been experiencing health issues for some time and suffered from senile dementia. She died in a care home that benefited directly from funds raised through the popularity of her restoration work.
The event that brought Giménez worldwide attention took place in 2012 when she tried to restore a fresco originally painted by Elías García Martínez at the Sanctuary of Borja in Zaragoza. While Giménez maintained that her work was unfinished, its simplified and blurred features became a viral sensation online, sparking global memes and reactions.
At the time, the Borja City Council stated that the restoration was carried out without authorization or technical training. Officials described it as poorly executed: “a botched job, without any doubt,” they said then. They clarified that Giménez acted independently without seeking permission or possessing sufficient expertise.
The incident led to public criticism that affected Giménez emotionally in the early days. Over time, however, public perception shifted. The initial ridicule turned into affection and curiosity, with the “Ecce Homo” attracting thousands of tourists to Borja and placing the town on the international map.
Revenue generated from increased tourism has been directed entirely to Fundación Hospital Sancti Spiritus and supports elderly people with limited resources. According to Borja’s mayor Alberto Arilla, this phenomenon enabled significant improvements and support for social causes while also highlighting Giménez’s generosity as part of her legacy.
