This article is a brief tribute to the life and work of Maria da Conceição Tavares, a leading heterodox economist and central figure in Latin American economic thought. Through a chronological narrative, it analyses her theoretical contribution from her time at the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) to her period as a professor at the University of Campinas (UNICAMP) and the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), as well as her involvement in Brazilian politics. The article highlights her role as a pioneer of Latin American structuralism, her critical analysis of the import substitution model and her ability to link quantitative approaches with historical and social perspectives. Tavares is remembered not only for her academic contributions, but also for her political activism and her commitment to social justice. She is considered a key figure in improving understanding of the region’s current challenges in inclusive development.