Former Senate majority leader and Nevada’s longest-serving member of Congress Harry Reid has sadly passed away aged 82.
Reid’s wife, Landra, penned a statement to announce the news of her husband’s death, revealing that Harry had fought a four-year battle with pancreatic cancer.
We’re breaking down everything that you need to know about Harry Reid’s wife, Landra.
- TRENDING: Who is late NFL coach John Madden’s wife?
Landra Reid announces husband’s death
Issuing a statement on Tuesday (December 28th), Harry Reid’s wife announced: “I am heartbroken to announce the passing of my husband, former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. He died peacefully this afternoon, surrounded by our family, following a courageous, four-year battle with pancreatic cancer.”
Harry Reid had a lengthy political career, rising from beginnings in Searchlight, Nevada, to then marking his place as one of the most powerful politicians in state history.
The late politician is notable for his position as the Democratic leader in the Senate, including eight years in the majority.
- OMG: Is Amanda Kloots dating Michael Allio?
Who is Harry Reid’s wife?
Reid’s wife, Landra Gould, grew up in Henderson, Nevada and, according to The Guardian, met Harry as a student at Utah State University, where the two converted to Mormonism.
As per reports, Gould’s parents initially didn’t approve of the relationship due to their differing religious backgrounds, but they eventually built a bond with Harry. In a 2006 interview, Reid explained: “As our relationship built, her parents came to the realization that it could be something serious and it was a very difficult time, the last few years of courtship, because they of course wanted her to meet somebody Jewish.”
Harry and Landra Reid eloped and tied the knot back in 1959, seeing their marriage last nearly six decades until the former US Senate majority leader’s death.
In the 1960s, the couple packed up and moved to Washington DC, where Reid enrolled at George Washington University law school.
The pair went on to welcome four sons and a daughter, and Reid often praised Gould as a “wonderful” mother. Harry once gushed: “She is the nicest person. She has been a wonderful mother, a terrific wife to me.”
Harry and Landra also have 19 grandchildren.
Towards the end of Reid’s life, Landra reportedly requested a letter from former president Barack Obama addressed to Harry. Obama posted the letter on Twitter: “You were a great leader in the Senate, and early on you were more generous to me than I had any right to expect. I wouldn’t have been president had it not been for your encouragement and support, and I wouldn’t have got most of what I got done without your skill and determination.
“Most of all, you’ve been a good friend.”
Friends pay tribute to Harry Reid
Those who knew Harry Reid and followers of his work have taken to Twitter to pay tribute to the late Democratic leader.
In other news, Who are TikTok’s creators of the year for 2021? Meet new additions