Senator Dianne Feinstein announced her husband Richard Blum, 86, died Sunday evening.
“My heart is broken today. My husband was my partner and best friend for more than 40 years. He was by my side for the good times and for the challenges. I am going to miss him terribly,” Feinstein (D-Calif.) said in a statement
Feinstein’s colleagues from across the political spectrum expressed their condolences:
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi wrote:
“Paul and I are heartbroken to learn of the passing of our dear friend, a devoted philanthropist and a proud San Franciscan, Richard Blum. All of us fortunate enough to know Richard and his beloved wife, Sen. Dianne Feinstein, know that they share a beautiful love and partnership that was truly a joy to behold.”
Rep. David Valadao (R-CA) wrote: “I’m saddened to hear of the passing of Sen, Feinstein’s husband, Richard Blum. Terra and I are praying for Sen Feinstein as she grieves the loss of her husband of over 40 years.”
The New York Post reports that Richard Blum died following a battle with cancer.
Blum graduated from Cal-Berkeley and founded the private equity firm Blum Capital in 1975. He married then-Mayor Dianne Feinstein in 1980.
In a statement on her husband’s passing, Dianne wrote:
“Dick was incredibly devoted to his family, particularly his daughters and his grandchildren, and my heart is with them and everyone who Dick encountered. He was the type of man who really replaced his divot in life, who left things better than he found them. His enormous generosity is an inspiration for so many of us.”
Dianne Feinstein’s statement also lauded her husband’s charitable work, citing the creation of the nonprofit American Himalayan Foundation as “one of his proudest achievements.”
We have a hole in our hearts that will never be filled,” Feinstein concluded. “Dick, we love you, we’ll miss you and we’ll continue to celebrate everything you accomplished during an amazing life.”
Senator Feinstein has represented California since 1992. Her term will expire in 2024. Feinstein, who will be 91 on Election Day, 2024, has not declared whether or not she will run again.
The RTM team offers their condolences.
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