Colin Powell, who dedicated his life to service, becoming the first African-American to be U.S. secretary of state and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, has passed away.
According to his Facebook page, Powell died Monday due to complications from COVID-19. His family wrote he was being treated at Walter Reed National Medical Center and was fully vaccinated.
The family went on to write, “We have lost a remarkable and loving husband, father, grandfather and a great American.”
Powell served as secretary of state under George W. Bush from 2001-2004. Bush released a statement Monday morning in response to Powell’s death.
“Laura and I are deeply saddened by the death of Colin Powell. He was a great public servant, starting with his time as a soldier during Vietnam. Many Presidents relied on General Powell’s counsel and experience. He was National Security Adviser under President Reagan, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff under my father and President Clinton, and Secretary of State during my Administration. He was such a favorite of Presidents that he earned the Presidential Medal of Freedom – twice. He was highly respected at home and abroad. And most important, Colin was a family man and a friend. Laura and I send Alma and their children our sincere condolences as they remember the life of a great man.”
Powell was 84.
Read comments