Dianne Feinstein, the Senate’s most-tenured member, has died at the age of 90.
The senator from California, who also previously served as mayor of San Francisco, passed away Thursday night after suffering numerous health issues over the past year. Her chief of staff, James Sauls, announced her death Friday morning in a statement:
“Sadly, Senator Feinstein passed away last night at her home in Washington, D.C. Her passing is a great loss for so many, from those who loved and cared for her to the people of California that she dedicated her life to serving.
“Senator Feinstein never backed away from a fight for what was just and right. At the same time, she was always willing to work with anyone, even those she disagreed with, if it meant bettering the lives of Californians or the betterment of our nation.
“There are few women who can be called senator, chairman, mayor, wife, mom, and grandmother. Senator Feinstein was a force of nature who made an incredible impact on our country and her home state.
“She left a legacy that is undeniable and extraordinary. There is much to say about who she was and what she did, but for now, we are going to grieve the passing of our beloved boss, mentor, and friend.”
Feinstein was born Dianne Goldman on June 22, 1933, to a Russian Orthodox mother and Jewish father. Feinstein was married three times, keeping the name of her second husband, Bertram Feinstein, who died from cancer in 1978, until her death, reported ABC 7 News.
Her career in public office began when she won a seat on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1969. In 1978, Feinstein was elevated to acting mayor after San Francisco Mayor George Moscone was assassinated by Dan White, who had previously served on the board of supervisors. She won election to the office later that year and held it for a decade.
When Sen. Pete Wilson (R-CA) resigned from the U.S. Senate to take office as governor of California in 1991, Feinstein won a special election to complete his term.
Feinstein’s tenure in the Senate was notable for her push to curtail gun ownership and her criticism of the CIA’s “enhanced interrogation techniques” in the aftermath of 9/11. Feinstein also endured criticism from left-wing groups for opposing single-payer government-run healthcare and for her fiscally based objections to President Joe Biden’s Green New Deal, as reported by the New York Post.