The South Carolina lawmaker died on Saturday, July 11

NEED TO KNOW

• Sen. Lindsey Graham’s cause of death has been revealed
• Graham’s communications director, Taylor Reidy, shared the DC Office of the Chief Medical Examiner’s preliminary findings on Sunday, July 12
• Graham died “suddenly” on Saturday, July 11

Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham’s cause of death has been revealed.

The South Carolina lawmaker, 71, died from a ruptured aorta brought on by chronic heart disease, according to the preliminary examination findings of the DC Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

Graham’s communications director, Taylor Reidy, shared the medical examiner’s preliminary findings on X on Sunday, July 12. His death was officially listed as “Aortic Dissection due to Arteriosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease.”

“The death certificate will be PENDING until all the toxicological and microscopic testing are finalized and at that point the death certificate will be updated to reflect the cause of death and appropriately classify the manner of death,” the medical examiner’s office said.

Graham’s office announced in a statement shared on social media that he experienced a “brief and sudden illness” before his death.

“On the evening of Saturday, July 11, U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham passed away from a brief and sudden illness,” the statement read. “Senator Graham’s family appreciates prayers at this time and asks for privacy during this incredibly difficult period.”

Graham, who grew up in the small town of Central, S.C., became an influential voice on foreign policy throughout the years.

He was elected to the House of Representatives in 1994, having previously served as an Air Force lawyer. After being elected to the Senate in 2002, he went on to have a brief presidential campaign in 2016.

At the time, he was a sharp critic of frontrunner Donald Trump, writing on X, “If we nominate Trump, we will get destroyed…….and we will deserve it.”

Despite clashes, Graham eventually became one of 80-year-old Trump’s key allies and often played golf with him.

In a Truth Social post shortly after his death, the President wrote: “Senator Lindsey Graham, one of the greatest people and Senators I have ever known, is dead! He was always working, and was a true American Patriot. Lindsey will be greatly missed!!! DETAILS AND ARRANGEMENTS TO FOLLOW. So sad! President DONALD J. TRUMP.”

Graham was most recently serving as chairman of the Senate Budget Committee and was seeking a fifth six-year Senate term in November.

Just days before his death, he returned from a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv. 

“Good meeting with U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham @LindseyGrahamSC in Kyiv,” Zelenskyy wrote on X on Friday, July 10. “ This is already his 10th visit to our country, and we appreciate this support. I’m grateful to Lindsey for recognizing our warriors…”

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Graham was scheduled to discuss the trip and his stance on Iran in an appearance on NBC News’ Meet the Press on Sunday.

South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster was among those who paid tribute after Graham’s death was announced just hours before the show.

“Peggy and I — and our children — are devastated,” McMaster, 79, wrote in an X post on July 12. “Lindsey Graham is irreplaceable. The fiercest of fighters for South Carolina and America — and a loyal and steadfast friend. We grieve with Darline, his family and his devoted staff. May God hold him gently in the palm of his hand. We shall not see his likes again.”

Graham never married and did not have children.

Source link