She was born in Chimel (Guatemala) on January 9th, 1959. She had a precarious but happy childhood, living under the Mayan culture and tradition.

In 1979 the military kidnapped and murdered her younger brother. In 1980 her father died burned in the massacre at the Embassy of Spain and her mother died, after being kidnapped and tortured by paramilitary groups: I have had a brief youth; a youth combined with old age.

Rigoberta advocated the peaceful defense of indigenous rights and joined the Peasant Union Committee (Comité de Unión Campesina). Because of the persecution she suffered, she exiled in Chiapas (Mexico) when she was 21 years old. She came back to her country but had to go into exile again in Nicaragua and Mexico.

She learned Spanish and other indigenous languages and fought with bravery for the rights of the indigenous communities and against impunity for crimes against humanity.

In 1986, she was appointed Goodwill Ambassador for a Culture of Peace for her tireless work with ethnic minorities.

In 1992, the year commemorating the Fifth Centenary of the Discovery of America,

she received the Nobel Peace Prize: She is a vivid symbol of peace and reconciliation across ethnic, cultural and social dividing lines, in her own country, on the American continent, and in the world.

This indefatigable defender of the rights of indigenous peoples and justice and peace in the world, has stated: The biggest treasure in my life is the capacity to dream.

Through a foundation Fundación Rigoberta Menchú Tum, she promotes the defence of peace and human rights, especially of indigenous peoples.