Mia Love, the first Black Republican woman to serve in the U.S. Congress, has passed away at the age of 49, her family announced. She died peacefully on Sunday at her home in Saratoga Springs, Utah, surrounded by loved ones.
A daughter of Haitian immigrants, Love represented Utah in the House of Representatives. Her daughter Abigale shared earlier this month that Love had stopped responding to treatment for brain cancer.
"In the midst of celebrating her life and the many joyful memories she leaves behind, Mia quietly passed from this world, soaring heavenward as her vision and words always did," the family wrote in a statement posted on X.
Utah Governor Spencer Cox paid tribute, calling Love a "true trailblazer and visionary leader" who inspired many Utahns with her courage, grace, and belief in the American dream. He added, "Her legacy leaves a lasting, positive impact on our state. We will miss her deeply."
Mia Love’s political career began in 2003 when she won a seat on the Saratoga Springs City Council. At 34, she became mayor, and in 2014, she made history as the first Black Republican woman elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, serving two terms.
While Love was critical of Donald Trump during the 2016 presidential race, she supported his Republican rival, Texas Senator Ted Cruz. She also called on Trump to apologize for making derogatory comments about Haiti in 2018.
Her bid for a third term ended in a narrow loss to Democratic opponent Ben McAdams, and Trump commented afterward, “Mia Love gave me no love, and she lost.”
Before entering politics, Love worked as a flight attendant and dreamed of becoming an actress in her teenage years. She later graduated from the University of Hartford with a degree in musical theatre.
In 2022, Love was diagnosed with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer, and was given a prognosis of 10-15 months to live, though she surpassed that.
Her death comes nearly two weeks after she wrote an opinion piece for Deseret News, where she expressed gratitude and shared her living wish for America.
