First black republican congresswoman Mia Love dies at 49

Reuters

Mia Love, the first Black Republican congresswoman in U.S. history, passed away on Sunday at the age of 49, surrounded by her family at her home in Saratoga Springs, Utah. Her family confirmed her death, stating she "passed away peacefully" after battling brain cancer.

Love, the daughter of Haitian immigrants, made history in 2014 when she became the first Black woman elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, where she served two terms. Her political career began in 2003 when she was elected to the city council of Saratoga Springs, and she later became the town's mayor at the age of 34.

In her political career, Love was known for her strong stance on conservative values and for being an outspoken figure. She was critical of Donald Trump during the 2016 presidential election, endorsing Texas Senator Ted Cruz instead. She also called on Trump to publicly apologize for making derogatory remarks about Haiti in 2018.

Love’s political career ended with a narrow loss in her bid for a third term in the House of Representatives to Democratic challenger Ben McAdams. After the defeat, Trump remarked, "Mia Love gave me no love, and she lost."

Despite her diagnosis in 2022 with glioblastoma, an aggressive brain cancer, Love surpassed doctors' expectations, living longer than the 10-15 months she was initially given. Her daughter, Abigale, had earlier confirmed that Love had stopped responding to treatment for the disease.

In an emotional family statement shared on social media, her family expressed: "In the midst of a celebration of her life and an avalanche of happy memories, Mia quietly slipped the bands of mortality and, as her words and vision always did, soared heavenward."

Tributes have poured in for Love, including from Utah Governor Spencer Cox, who described her as "a true trailblazer and visionary leader" whose "legacy leaves a lasting, positive impact on our state."

Before entering politics, Love worked as a flight attendant and dreamed of an acting career as a teenager. She graduated from the University of Hartford with a degree in musical theatre. Her death comes just two weeks after she wrote a heartfelt opinion piece in Deseret News, thanking Americans and sharing her wishes for the country.

Mia Love leaves behind a lasting legacy as a pioneering figure in American politics and a steadfast advocate for her values.

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