ECNETNews, March 23, 2025: Haitian-American political trailblazer Mia Love, the first Black Republican woman elected to the U.S. Congress, has passed away at the age of 49.
Her family announced her death, stating that she peacefully departed at her home in Saratoga Springs, Utah, after a brave fight against brain cancer. Love had been undergoing immunotherapy as part of a clinical trial but had recently stopped responding to the treatment.
“With hearts filled with gratitude for Mia’s profound impact on our lives, we share that she passed away peacefully,” her family expressed. “We appreciate the outpouring of thoughts, prayers, and condolences during this time.”
Born Ludmya Bourdeau to Haitian immigrants, Love grew up with a strong belief in the American dream and the importance of perseverance, values instilled by her father, Jean Maxime Bourdeau.
Her political career began in 2003 as a city council member in Saratoga Springs, where she later became mayor. In 2014, she gained nationwide recognition by winning a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives for Utah’s 4th Congressional District, making history as the first Black Republican woman in Congress.
Despite not focusing on race in her campaigns, Love acknowledged the significance of her election. “There were so many naysayers who said that Utah would never elect a Black, Republican, Mormon woman to Congress,” she remarked after her historic victory.
While initially viewed as a rising star within the Republican Party, Love distanced herself from Donald Trump during the 2016 presidential election, aligning herself with the more moderate perspectives of Utah voters.
In a reflective piece published earlier this month, Love expressed her love for America and her aspirations for the nation’s future, urging elected officials to lead with empathy and integrity. “I hope that my life will have mattered and made a difference for the nation I love and the family and friends I adore,” she wrote, emphasizing her desire for an America that embodies enduring principles of liberty.
Utah Governor Spencer Cox honored Love’s legacy, describing her as “a true friend” and recognizing her dedication to public service.
Mia Love’s political journey showcased the promise and challenges within American democracy, reinforcing her belief that her narrative, alongside many others, reflects the best of what the nation can achieve.
She is survived by her husband and three children.
