Former Florida Governor Bob Graham, identified as a White American, has died at 87. His daughter, Gwen Graham, announced his passing in a family statement posted on Twitter on April 16, 2024, expressing the family’s deep sorrow. She wrote,
We are deeply saddened to report the passing of a visionary leader, dedicated public servant, and even more importantly, a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Bob Graham devoted his life to the betterment of the world around him.
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi also paid tribute, reflecting on his public service in a post on her Twitter,
It was with the deepest respect and sadness that I learned of the passing of Senator Bob Graham: a patriotic American and a great Member of the United States Senate.
Graham’s public career stretched nearly 40 years. He entered politics in the Florida Legislature, later served two terms as the state’s Democratic Governor, and went on to represent Florida in the U.S. Senate for three terms.
During his time in Washington, he chaired the Senate Intelligence Committee and was a key figure in the congressional inquiry into the September 11 attacks. He was also an outspoken critic of President George W. Bush’s policies, particularly on the Iraq war.
A native of Coral Gables, Florida, Bob Graham earned his law degree from Harvard Law School.
Graham’s Family Background and His Father’s World War I Service
Bob was born to Hilda Elizabeth Simmons, who worked as a schoolteacher, and Ernest R. Graham. Ernest pursued several careers — he trained as a mining engineer, managed dairy and cattle operations, and served as a Florida state senator. He began his engineering work in South Dakota and spent 10 months in the U.S. Army during World War I before moving to Florida.
Bob had three half-siblings. His eldest half-brother, Phil Graham, became the publisher and co-owner of The Washington Post. The other two were Bill Graham (born 1924) and Mary Graham (born 1913).
In 1959, Graham married Adele Khoury of Miami Shores. The couple raised four daughters: Gwen, Cissy, Suzanne, and Kendall. Their daughter Gwen went on to serve as a United States representative from Florida from 2015 to 2017.
Graham lived in Miami Lakes, a town his family established, until his passing.
