Political Deaths
Anne Legendre Armstrong
The US diplomat and first woman to serve in a high-ranking position under Presidents Ford and Nixon died one week after entering a hospice in Houston. counselor to the president, Anne Armstrong +cause of death, Cancer, Anne Armstrong +age,
Sonny Bono
Before his stint in politics, the Palm Springs mayor and US congressman teamed up with his then wife to form a pop music duo. His life was cut short suddenly as a result of injuries sustained while vacationing at a Nevada resort. sonny bono +cause of death Skiing accident · Skiing, sonny bono age, 62 years · February 16, 1935 – January 5, 1998,
Robert Bork
While serving as solicitor general in the US Department of Justice, he was instrumental in carrying out President Nixon's orders during an infamous political scandal. His cause of death leads the world's death toll. Robert Bork +cause of death, Robert Bork +age, 85 years · March 1, 1927 – December 19, 2012,
Ron Brown
The first African-American US secretary of commerce was killed along with 34 others while on an official trade mission in Croatia. Ron Brown +cause of death, Air disaster, Ron Brown +age, 54 years · August 1, 1941 – April 3, 1996,
Douglas Hemphill Elliott
Elected to the Pennsylvania State Senate in 1956, Elliott was elected to Congress in April 1960 and served until his death less than two months later. congressman richard simpson, douglas hemphill elliott +suicide, douglas elliott +age 39 years · June 3, 1921 – June 19, 1960,
Geraldine Ferraro
The former congresswoman and first female vice presidential candidate passed away after a 12-year battle with an incurable blood disease. geraldine ferraro +multiple myeloma, geraldine ferraro age, 75 years · August 26, 1935 – March 26, 2011
James Forrestal
After this first US secretary of state was abruptly asked to resign a sudden act brought on by a mental condition claimed his life two months later. In 1949, angered over Forrestal's continued opposition to his defense economization policies, and concerned about reports in the press over his mental condition, Truman abruptly asked Forrestal to resign. james forrestal cause of death Suicide, james forrestal age, 57 years · February 15, 1892 – May 22, 1949,
Alexander Haig
The former presidential aide and US secretary of state died from complications due to an invasion of germs. alexander haig +staph infection, alexander haig age, 85 years · December 2, 1924 – February 20, 2010,
Warren Harding
The 29th president's death may have something to do with his indulgence in fat-filled foods, tobacco and alcohol, or was it due to something else? See conspiracy theories. warren harding death +conspiracy theory, warren harding cause of death Myocardial infarction, warren harding age 57 years · November 2, 1865 – August 2, 1923,
William Harrison
The ninth president served the shortest tenure of any president and died after developing a cold that progressed into a more serious affliction. william henry harrison president + 30 days in office, william henry harrison cause of death, Pneumonia · Sepsis, william henry harrison age 68 years · February 9, 1773 – April 4, 1841,
Jon Hinson
The Mississippi congressman's time in office was wrought with scandal. Following his resignation, he became an activist until his death from a disease that affects the immune system. jon hinson +sodomy +obscene act, Jon Hinson cause of death Respiratory failure · AIDS, Jon Hinson age 53 years · March 16, 1942 – July 21, 1995,
Richard Holbrooke
The diplomat is said to have voiced his support for ending the war sparked by a terrorist attack on American soil before being sedated for surgery to repair a tear in a vital muscle. Unfortunately, he died following surgery. richard holbrooke torn aorta, richard holbrooke age 69 years · April 24, 1941 – December 13, 2010,
Stephanie Tubbs Jones
A sudden severe headache, nausea and drowsiness are symptoms of the disorder that took the life of the Ohio congresswoman. stephanie tubbs jones cause of death Cerebral aneurysm, stephanie tubbs jones age 58 years · September 10, 1949 – August 20, 2008,
Barbara Jordan
The civil rights activist and first African-American woman to be elected to Congress to represent Texas died from an inflammatory condition of the lung triggered by a type of blood cancer. barbara jordan +pneumonia, barbara jordan age, 59 years · February 21, 1936 – January 17, 1996,
Jack Kemp
The congressman and NFL quarterback died after a lengthy illness that spread to several organs. jack kemp cause of death Cancer, jack kemp age 73 years · July 13, 1935 – May 2, 2009,
Robert F. Kennedy
The US senator and attorney general was tough on organized crime and committed to civil rights. While campaigning for president, his life was cut short at the hands of a 24-year-old Palestinian student. robert f. kennedy cause of death Firearm · Assassination, robert f. kennedy age 42 years · November 20, 1925 – June 6, 1968,
Ed Koch
The New York City mayor is credited with saving the city from bankruptcy during his three terms. After multiple hospital visits, he died due to a condition that affects blood flow, heart pressure and pumping power. ed koch January 1, 1978 – December 31, 1989, ed koch cause of death Heart failure · Congestive Heart Failure, ed koch age 88 years · December 12, 1924 – February 1, 2013,
Donald R. Manes
Scandal and the prospect of indictment plagued the Queens borough president's term and reportedly led to his untimely death via a common kitchen utensil. donald manes corruption scandal, donald manes cause of death Suicide, donald manes age 52 years · January 18, 1934 – March 13, 1986,
Harvey Milk
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors member and first openly gay person to be elected to public office in California rarely saw eye-to-eye with the fellow supervisor who took his life. harvey milk cause of death Firearm · Assassination, harvey milk age 48 years · May 22, 1930 – November 27, 1978,
