Mia Love, Trailblazer and First Black Republican Congresswoman, Dies of Brain Cancer Aged 49

Mia Love, the first black woman elected to Congress as a Republican, has died at the age of 49.

In a post on the X platform, Love’s family confirmed that she had passed away following a long battle with brain cancer:

With grateful hearts filled to overflowing for the profound influence of Mia on our lives, we want you to know that she passed away peacefully today.

She was in her home surrounded by family. In the midst of a celebration of her life and an avalanche of happy memories, Mia quietly slipped the bands of mortality and, as her words and vision always did, soared heavenward.

We are thankful for the many good wishes, prayers and condolences.

We are taking some time as a family and will provide information about funeral services and a public celebration of her life in the days to come.

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox said he was “heartbroken” by her passing.

“We are heartbroken at this news,” he wrote. “From the time we were mayors together I could always count on Mia as a true friend.”

“Her legacy of service inspired all who knew her. We pray for her family and mourn with them.“

We are heartbroken at this news. From the time we were mayors together I could always count on Mia as a true friend. Her legacy of service inspired all who knew her. We pray for her family and mourn with them. https://t.co/59ZhLi3sAn

— Spencer Cox (@SpencerJCox) March 24, 2025

Born Ludmya Bourdeau in Brooklyn, New York, to Haitian immigrant parents, Love moved to Utah in the late 1990s and entered public service soon after.

She began her political career on the Saratoga Springs City Council and later became the city’s mayor.

In 2014, Love was elected to represent Utah’s 4th congressional district, making history as the first Black Republican woman to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives.

During her two terms in office she was a reliable conservative voice, although was sometimes critical of Trump’s policies.

She went on to lose her seat to Salt Lake County’s Democratic Mayor Ben McAdams in the 2018 midterms.

After leaving Congress she remained active in political commentary and publicly supported President Trump’s re-election campaign, arguing that he and J.D. Vance had a “passionate vision of an American revival that enables all Americans to pursue their dreams.”

After this past week, I’m all in on team Trump/Vance! They have a passionate vision of an American revival that enables all Americans to pursue their dreams.

— Mia Love (@MiaBLove) July 22, 2024

Love is survived by her husband, Jason, and their three children.