Ron Nessen (1934–2025), press secretary for Gerald Ford

Ron Nessen was a journalist best known for serving as press secretary for President Gerald Ford in the years immediately following the Watergate scandal, when American trust in government institutions was at a low point.

Raíºl Grijalva (1948–2025), U.S. representative from Arizona

Raíºl Grijalva was a Democrat who represented Arizona in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2003 until his death.

Alan Simpson (1931–2024), longtime U.S. senator from Wyoming 

Alan Simpson was a longtime Republican politician from Wyoming best known for his tenure in the U.S. Senate, which included a decade as Senate whip.

Sylvester Turner (1954–2025), freshman congressman from Texas

Sylvester Turner was the mayor of Houston from 2016 to 2024, then briefly served in the U.S. House of Representatives. 

Lincoln Díaz-Balart (1954–2025), former U.S. congressman from Florida

Lincoln Díaz-Balart represented southern Florida as a Republican in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1993 to 2011.

Jerry Butler (1939–2025), first leader of The Impressions

Jerry “Iceman” Butler was the original lead singer for The Impressions, who went on to a successful solo career and later became a Chicago politician.0

David Boren (1941–2025), longtime Oklahoma senator

David Boren was a politician from Oklahoma, serving as the state’s governor, U.S. senator, andthe longtime president of the University of Oklahoma.

Beverly Byron (1932–2025), former congresswoman from Maryland

Beverly Byron represented Maryland in the U.S. House from 1979 to 1993.

Cecile Richards (1957–2025), former Planned Parenthood president 

Cecile Richards was a women’s rights activist who served as president of both the Planned Parenthood Federation of America and the Planned Parenthood Action Fund, as well as founding Supermajority, an organization devoted to bringing more women into politics.

UK Celebrity Deaths 2025

Though these famous figures have died, their legacies live on and continue to inspire and delight us. Join us as we remember celebrities who died in 2025.

Jimmy Carter (1924–2024), 39th president of the United States

Jimmy Carter was the 39th president of the United States of America, serving from 1977 to 1981.

John Spratt (1942–2024), South Carolina congressman

John Spratt was a longtime member of the U.S. House of Representatives, a Democrat from South Carolina’s Fifth District.

Jim Leach (1942–2024), 30-year Iowa congressman

Jim Leach was a respected Republican congressman from Iowa who served 30 years in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Silvia Pinal (1931–2024), Mexican film star

Silvia Pinal was a Mexican star of film and television best known for her work with movie maker Luis Buñuel, including “Viridiana,” “The Exterminating Angel,” and “Simon of the Desert.” 

Fred R. Harris (1930–2024), former Oklahoma senator

Fred R. Harris was a former U.S. senator from Oklahoma who once chaired the Democratic National Committee and twice sought a presidential nomination.

Jodi Rell (1946–2024), former governor of Connecticut

M. Jodi Rell was the governor of Connecticut from 2004 to 2011.

Theodore B. Olson (1940–2024), lawyer who fought for gay marriage

Theodore B. Olson was a conservative lawyer who served under former presidents George W. Bush and Ronald Reagan, best known for helping Bush secure the 2000 election and for arguing for gays’ right to marry.0

Rick Nolan (1943–2024), former U.S. congressman from Minnesota

Rick Nolan represented Minnesota as a Democrat in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1975 to 1981 and again from 2013 to 2019.

Alex Salmond (1954–2024), former first minister of Scotland

Alex Salmond was the first minister of Scotland from 2007 through 2014, leading the country as it prepared to vote on a referendum on independence from the United Kingdom.

Tim Johnson (1946–2024), longtime U.S. senator from South Dakota

Tim Johnson was a longtime U.S. senator from South Dakota who was the last Democrat to win statewide election in the state.

David Hobson (1936–2024), former U.S. representative from Ohio

David Hobson represented Ohio’s seventh congressional district as a Republican in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1991 to 2009. 

Dan Evans (1925–2024), former Washington governor and U.S. senator

Dan Evans was a three-term governor of Washington state in the 1960s and ‘70s who went on to serve as a U.S. senator in the ‘80s.

Bill Pascrell Jr. (1937–2024), longtime New Jersey congressman

Bill Pascrell Jr. was a former mayor of Paterson, New Jersey and longstanding New Jersey congressman, serving over 25 years in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Sheila Jackson Lee (1950–2024), 30-year congresswoman from Texas

Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee was a 30-year congresswoman from Texas best known for her advocacy of progressive causes.

Lou Dobbs (1945–2024), television host and political commentator

Lou Dobbs was a television host and political commentator best known for his 30-year association with CNN and his decade with Fox Business Network, a tenure which came to an end when Dobbs was fired after promoting election conspiracies. 

Sen. Jim Inhofe (1934–2024), U.S. senator from Oklahoma

Sen. Jim Inhofe was a U.S. senator from Oklahoma for nearly three decades who served in public office in one form or another for nearly 60 years overall.

Kinky Friedman (1944–2024), singer, humorist, and provocateur

Kinky Friedman was a singer, humorist, columnist, and all-around provocateur who led the band The Texas Jewboys and once ran for governor of Texas.

Howard Fineman (1948–2024), noted political journalist and commentator

Howard Fineman was a political journalist and television commentator who became a mainstay at Newsweek and NBC, covering nine presidential elections over the course of his career.

Alice Stewart (1966–2024), CNN political commentator

Alice Stewart was a conservative political commentator for CNN who also advised several Republicans in their candidacies for president.

Pete McCloskey (1927–2024), GOP congressman who fought Nixon

Pete McCloskey was a Republican congressman who became the first member of the House to call for Richard Nixon’s resignation, co-wrote the Endangered Species Act, and co-founded Earth Day.

Donald M. Payne Jr. (1958–2024), six-term U.S. Congressman from N.J.

Donald M. Payne Jr., was a second-generation United States congressman from New Jersey who served six terms in office, following in the footsteps of his namesake congressman father.

David Pryor (1934–2024), U.S. senator and Arkansas governor

David Pryor was a Democratic politician who served as governor of Arkansas in the 1970s, as well as representing the state in the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate. 

Bob Graham (1936-2024), former U.S. senator and Florida governor

Bob Graham was a Democratic politician who served as the governor of Florida in the 1970s and ‘80s and went on to become a three-term U.S. senator.

Joseph Brennan (1934–2024), former governor of Maine

Joseph Brennan was the 70th governor of Maine and a former state Attorney General who also served two terms in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Esther Coopersmith (1930–2024), diplomat and host to powerful people 

Esther Coopersmith was an unofficial Washington D.C. diplomat who for more than 70 years organized events for political power players all across the world.

Bill Delahunt (1941–2024), U.S. Rep. from Massachusetts 

William “Bill” Delahunt represented the 10th congressional district of Massachusetts in the U.S. House of Representatives as a Democrat from 1997 to 2011. 

Joe Lieberman (1942–2024), former senator and vice president nominee 

Joe Lieberman was a former U.S. Senator and vice-presidential candidate who ran with Al Gore in 2000 and was the first person of Jewish faith on one of the two major parties’ U.S. presidential tickets.

Linda Bean (1941–2024), conservative activist and philanthropist  

Linda Bean was a conservative activist and philanthropist, as well as the granddaughter of Leon Leonwood Bean, founder of the outdoor wear company L.L. Bean. 

Terry Everett (1937–2024), U.S. Rep. from Alabama

Terry Everett was a Republican who represented southeast Alabama in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1993 to 2009.

David Mixner (1946–2024), gay rights activist and author 

David Mixner was a gay rights activist and author who cofounded the LGBTQ+ Victory fund and broke ways with President Bill Clinton over his “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy. 

Malachy McCourt (1931–2024), Irish writer, actor, and talk show host

Malachy McCourt was an Irish writer, actor, and talk show host who once ran for Governor of New York and followed-up his brother’s Pulitzer Prize-winning work, “Angela’s Ashes,” with a memoir of his own, “A Monk Swimming.”

Ali Hassan Mwinyi (1925–2024), former president of Tanzania

Ali Hassan Mwinyi was the second president of Tanzania after the country’s 1961 independence from Great Britain, serving from 1985 to 1995.

Brian Mulroney (1939–2024), Canadian PM who improved ties with U.S. 

Brian Mulroney was a former Canadian prime minister who played an integral role in strengthening economic relations with the United States.

Alexei Navalny (1976–2024), Russian opposition leader 

Alexei Navalny was an anticorruption activist and politician who led the Russian opposition to President Vladimir Putin. 

Sebastián Piñera (1949–2024), former Chilean president 

Sebastián Piñera was a prominent Chilean businessman and billionaire who served two terms as President, including a period of rapid economic growth for the country.

Jean Carnahan (1933–2024), Missouri’s first female U.S. senator

Jean Carnahan represented Missouri in the U.S. Senate and was the former first lady of Missouri.

Nerene Virgin (1946–2024), star of Today’s Special 

Nerene Virgin was a Canadian actress and journalist who starred in the 1980s children’s TV show “Today’s Special.”

Herbert Kohl (1935–2023), former Senator and co-founder of Kohl’s 

Herbert Kohl was a businessman, politician, and philanthropist who was a former U.S. Senator, previous owner of the Milwaukee Bucks basketball team, and co-founder of Kohl’s department stores with his brother and father.0

Sandra Day O’Connor (1930–2023), first woman on the U.S. Supreme Court

Sandra Day O’Connor was the first woman appointed to the Supreme Court of the United States.