Trailblazing California Sen. Dianne Feinstein dies at 90
Written by ABC Audio ALL RIGHTS RESERVED on September 29, 2023
![Trailblazing California Sen. Dianne Feinstein dies at 90 Trailblazing California Sen. Dianne Feinstein dies at 90](https://s3.amazonaws.com/syndication.abcaudio.com/files/2023-09-29/Getty_92923_sendianefeinstein.jpg)
(WASHINGTON) — Dianne Feinstein, who became California’s first female senator and went on to serve six terms, the longest of any woman in Senate history — and whose political career was forever changed by the assassination of two colleagues — has died, multiple sources confirm to ABC News. She was 90.
Over her three decades in the Senate, Feinstein transformed from a barrier-breaking member of the Democratic Party’s liberal vanguard, championing the legalization of same-sex marriage and a ban on assault-style weapons, to one of the Washington’s establishment members, esteemed by lawmakers on both sides of the aisle but increasingly criticized by outside progressives who argued that she refused to step aside for the next generation.
In her final years, her work on Capitol Hill had also begun to be overshadowed by concern about her mental and physical health even as she insisted she remained a robust public servant, despite her hospitalizations, reports of episodes of confusion and other issues.
In announcing that she planned to retire at the end of her latest term, in 2025, Feinstein said: “Each of us was sent here to solve problems. That’s what I’ve done for the last 30 years, and that’s what I plan to do for the next two years. My thanks to the people of California for allowing me to serve them.”
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.