Former Secretary of State Colin Powell Dies of COVID-19 Complications After Receiving Treatment for Cancer

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Colin L. Powell, the first Black United States Secretary of State, has died of complications of COVID-19, according to a statement from his family.

Powell, 84, had also recently been receiving treatment for multiple myeloma, according to his longtime aide, Peggy Cifrino.

The statement from his family noted he was “fully vaccinated” but did not go into detail about the complications that led to his death. It is also not known if Powell had received a booster shot.

Recently released study results from the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society showed that more than half of patients with B-cell blood cancers who did not have detectable antibodies after the first two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine produced antibodies after a third dose. The results, however, indicated that some patients may not have a full antibody response after the booster dose.

In a statement, former President George W. Bush commemorated Powell’s life and praised his countless years of service.

“He was a great public servant, starting with his time as a soldier during Vietnam,” Bush said. “Many presidents relied on General Powell’s counsel and experience. …He was such a favorite of presidents that he earned the Presidential Medal of Freedom – twice. He was highly respected at home and abroad. And most important, Colin was a family man and friend.”

Powell had previously received treatment for prostate cancer in 2003 at the age of 66.

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