Former U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell dies from COVID-19 complications

Colin Powell died at 84 years old from unspecified COVID-19 complications.

"General Colin L. Powell, former U.S. Secretary of State and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, passed away this morning due to complications from Covid 19," the Powell family confirmed in a statement posted to his official Facebook page. "He was fully vaccinated. We want to thank the medical staff at Walter Reed National Medical Center for their caring treatment. We have lost a remarkable and loving husband, father, grandfather and a great American."

Powell had previously been treated for prostate cancer in 2003 and was currently battling multiple myeloma, which he was diagnosed with in 2019 (h/t The Daily Beast). According to the Mayo Clinic, multiple myeloma happens within the white blood cells: "Cancerous plasma cells accumulate in the bone marrow and crowd out healthy blood cells. Rather than produce helpful antibodies, the cancer cells produce abnormal proteins that can cause complications."

Powell served in the Army beginning in 1958, serving two tours of duty in Vietnam throughout the '60s. The New York native served 35 years in the Army before retiring from the military in 1993. Politically, Powell became the first Black secretary of state, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and national security adviser.

President Joe Biden released an official statement on Powell's death. He shared that he and First Lady Jill Biden are "deeply saddened by the passing of our dear friend" before commending Powell for his public service. 

In part, President Biden wrote:

"The son of immigrants, born in New York City, raised in Harlem and the South Bronx, a graduate of the City College of New York, he rose to the highest ranks of the United States military and to advise four presidents. He believed in the promise of America because he lived it. And he devoted much of his life to making that promise a reality for so many others.

"As a Senator, I worked closely with him when he served as National Security Advisor, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and as Secretary of State. Over our many years working together – even in disagreement – Colin was always someone who gave you his best and treated you with respect."

Powell is known for this speech he gave at the United Nations in February 2003, advocating for the Iraq War, which he regretted.

Powell served as President George W. Bush's secretary of state and national security adviser before backing President Barack Obama in 2008 and '12, followed by Hillary Clinton in '16 and President Biden last year.

Bush provided an official statement, as did the likes of Rev. Al Sharpton and Stacey Abrams.