Republican U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham has died at the age of 71. While his office initially cited a brief illness, preliminary findings from the medical examiner confirm that Senator Graham suffered a fatal aortic dissection—a sudden, catastrophic rupture of the heart’s main artery brought on by cardiovascular disease.
A statement released by Graham’s office said he died on Saturday evening, adding that his family requested privacy as they mourned his death.
“Senator Graham’s family appreciates prayers at this time and asks for privacy during this incredibly difficult period,” the statement said.
Graham represented South Carolina in the U.S. Senate after first winning election in 2002. Over more than two decades in office, he became one of Washington’s most influential lawmakers on foreign policy and a close ally of President Donald Trump.
Trump honored Graham in a social media post, describing the senator as a “true American Patriot.”
At the time of his death, Graham served as chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, he was also campaigning for a fifth six-year term in the Senate ahead of the November election. He remained one of the chamber’s best-known Republicans and an influential voice on defense and foreign policy.
Graham had recently returned from Kyiv, where he met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday, and there were no known health concerns before the trip.
The senator had been a strong supporter of continued U.S. assistance for Ukraine. During his latest visit, he was working on a version of a Russia sanctions bill that he said would give “tools to President Trump to end this war.”
Leaders from Washington and South Carolina also paid tribute following the announcement of his death.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune called Graham a “strong advocate for the United States and a strong ally to freedom-loving countries across the globe,” while South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster said the senator had been “the fiercest of fighters for South Carolina and America—and a loyal and steadfast friend.”
Under South Carolina law, McMaster will appoint a replacement to serve in Graham’s Senate seat until Jan. 3 of next year.
