Former Secretary of State Colin Powell dies of COVID complications at 84: 'A family man and a friend'
Colin Powell, who served as the nation's first Black secretary of state during the presidency of George W. Bush, died Monday morning at age 84 following complications from COVID-19, his family confirmed. The retired four-star general was fully vaccinated, reports The New York Times per Powell's family, but was also fighting multiple myeloma, "a type of blood cancer that hurts the body's ability to fight infections," notes CNBC.
"We want to thank the medical staff at Walter Reed National Medical Center for their caring treatment," said Powell's family in a post on Facebook, per NPR. "We have lost a remarkable and loving husband, father, grandfather and a great American."
High-profile tributes to Powell began rolling in shortly after news of his passing broke. Said former President George W. Bush: "He was such a favorite of presidents that he earned the Presidential Medal of Freedom — twice."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
"He was highly respected at home and abroad. And most important, Colin was a family man and a friend," Bush wrote.
"A statesman and trailblazer, devoted to America and the cause of liberty, Colin Powell's legacy of service and honor will long inspire," wrote Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah).
Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said Powell's passing made him feel "as if I have a hole in my heart," per CNN's Jennifer Hansler.
Powell also served as the country's first Black national security adviser and chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, writes the Times. His views on military conflict — dubbed the "Powell Doctrine" — "shaped a national security outlook that advocated against precipitous war," per the Journal. Powell is also notable for arguing before the United Nations in favor of the U.S. invasion of Iraq, citing intelligence that later turned out to be mostly incorrect. Read more at CNBC.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brigid Kennedy worked at The Week from 2021 to 2023 as a staff writer, junior editor and then story editor, with an interest in U.S. politics, the economy and the music industry.
-
The drive behind Germany's pro-Israel political consensus
Under the Radar Belief that Israel's security is a 'raison d'etre for the German republic' is under growing pressure
By The Week UK Published
-
'The House under GOP rule has become a hostile workplace'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
The Shohei Ohtani gambling scandal is about more than bad bets
In The Spotlight The firestorm surrounding one of baseball's biggest stars threatens to upend a generational legacy and professional sports at large
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump gets $289M break, first criminal trial date
Speed Read The former president's fraud bond has been reduced to $175 million from $464 million
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
US-Israel rift widens after UN cease-fire resolution
Speed Read The U.S. declined to veto a U.N. resolution calling for a two-week "immediate cease-fire" in Gaza
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
New Jersey first lady exits race to replace Menendez
Speed Read Tammy Murphy dropping out paves the way for Rep. Andy Kim to become the state's next senator
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Russia blames Ukraine for deadly ISIS Moscow attack
Speed Read Putin has ignored the Islamic State's claim of responsibility for the concert hall shooting
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump-RNC pact puts Trump legal bills ahead of GOP
Speed Read The former president has struck a deal with the Republican National Committee to put donations toward his legal bills
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Vietnam president resigns amid scandal
Speed Read Vietnam loses its second president in two years as Vo Van Thuong steps down
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Texas migrant law in limbo after Supreme Court OK
Speed Read The law has been blocked again, mere hours after the Supreme Court allowed the state to arrest migrants
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Cubans rally for 'power and food' in rare protests
Speed Read The protests came after 18-hour rolling blackouts and food supply shortages
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published