Pioneering Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein dies aged 90

Feinstein was a pioneer for women in Washington with a long and storied career in American politics, breaking down barriers and becoming the first in many areas

Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein – who was a pioneer for women in Washington throughout her five-decade career in politics – has died at the age of 90.

Her office confirmed her death on Friday morning, saying: “Sadly, Senator Feinstein passed away last night at her home in Washington DC.”

“Her passing is a great loss for so many, from those who loved and cared for her to the people of California that she dedicated her life to serving,” the statement read. “Senator Feinstein never backed away from a fight for what was just and right. At the same time, she was always willing to work with anyone, even those she disagreed with, if it meant bettering the lives of Californians or the betterment of our nation.

“There are few women who can be called senator, chairman, mayor, wife, mom and grandmother. Senator Feinstein was a force of nature who made an incredible impact on our country and her home state. She left a legacy that is undeniable and extraordinary.

“There is much to say about who she was and what she did, but for now, we are going to grieve the passing of our beloved boss, mentor and friend.”

Tributes began pouring in from both sides of the political aisle with New York Democrat Kirsten Gillibrand remembering her as “a force to be reckoned with” and Missouri Republican Josh Hawley calling it “an honor to serve with her” in the Senate.

Feinstein’s death comes after a series of health setbacks this year, including an extended time out of the Senate following a hospitalisation for shingles in the spring – all of which fuelled growing concerns about her ability to represent the people of California in Washington.

She returned to Congress two months later, looking frail as she was pushed into the chambers in a wheelchair to cast her votes on crucial bills.

Senator Dianne Feinstein arrives to the US Capitol Building on 10 May 2023 in Washington DC (Getty Images)

Her appearance prompted calls for her to step down from her position – a call she flatly refused.

In August, she was briefly hospitalised again after her office said she suffered a “minor fall” in her California home.

It also emerged that she had ceded power of attorney to her daughter.

While she remained defiant in her ability to see out her term in the Senate, she did announce plans to retire at the end of her term next year, sparking a major primary fight for her successor.

She also announced that she would not be serving as the Senate president pro tempore – or the most senior member of the majority party – despite being in line to do so.

Following her death, California Governor Gavin Newsom will appoint a temporary replacement to fill the seat until the end of Feinstein’s term in 2024. He previously indicated that he would appoint a Black woman to her seat if necessary. An election will then be held to fill her seat in the 2024 race.

At the time of her death, Feinstein was the oldest sitting senator in the US Senate, with a long and storied career in American politics.

As a pioneer for women in Washington, she broke down many barriers in Washington marking a series of firsts.

Among her achievements, she was the first woman president of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, the first woman mayor of San Francisco, and one of two of the first women ever to be elected to the US Senate for the state of California.

As well as being a prominent liberal – championing feminism, reproductive rights, gun control and environmental issues – Feinstein was also known for her bipartisanship, stretching across the divide to work with her Republican counterparts.

As news of her death spread across America on Friday, tributes flooded in from Democratic and Republican colleagues alike on X.

Dianne Feinstein on Capitol Hill in 2017 (Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

President Joe Biden described Feinstein as a “pioneering American” and “a true trailblazer” as flags were lowered at half staff across the US Capitol in her memory.

“Senator Dianne Feinstein was a pioneering American. A true trailblazer. And for Jill and me, a cherished friend. In San Francisco, she showed enormous poise and courage in the wake of tragedy, and became a powerful voice for American values,” he said in a statement.

“Serving in the Senate together for more than 15 years, I had a front row seat to what Dianne was able to accomplish. It’s why I recruited her to serve on the Judiciary Committee when I was Chairman – I knew what she was made of, and I wanted her on our team.

“There’s no better example of her skillful legislating and sheer force of will than when she turned passion into purpose, and led the fight to ban assault weapons. Dianne made her mark on everything from national security to the environment to protecting civil liberties.

“She’s made history in so many ways, and our country will benefit from her legacy for generations.Often the only woman in the room, Dianne was a role model for so many Americans – a job she took seriously by mentoring countless public servants, many of whom now serve in my Administration.

“She had an immense impact on younger female leaders for whom she generously opened doors. Dianne was tough, sharp, always prepared, and never pulled a punch, but she was also a kind and loyal friend, and that’s what Jill and I will miss the most. As we mourn with her daughter Katherine and the Feinstein family, her team in the Senate, and the people of California, we take comfort that Dianne is reunited again with her beloved Richard. May God Bless Dianne Feinstein.”

Senator Feinstein on the US Capitol in February 2023 (The Associated Press)

House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, a California representative, said that she was “heartbroken” by the news of the death of her “dear friend” as she chronciled her storied career in American politics.

“Paul, my daughter Nancy Corinne and I were heartbroken to learn of the passing of our dear friend Dianne Feinstein. For decades, Senator Feinstein was a pillar of public service in California: from San Francisco’s City Hall to the United States Capitol,” she said in a statement.

“Her indomitable, indefatigable leadership made a magnificent difference for our national security and personal safety, the health of our people and our planet, and the strength of our Democracy.”

Ms Pelosi described her as “a pioneering woman leader” and “a champion for the Golden State”.

“A fierce champion for gender justice, her tireless advocacy was consequential in securing the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act. Personally, it was a great honor to serve alongside Dianne for decades – from the hilly streets of San Francisco to the hallowed halls of Congress,” she said.

“We were not only colleagues, but neighbors and friends... Dianne’s extraordinary career will continue to inspire countless young women and girls to pursue public service for generations to come.”

Democratic Senator Ms Gillibrand remembered Feinstein as “my role model, my mentor, and a dear friend”.

Dianne Feinstein and Tony Bennett at a San Francisco cable car in 1984 (Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

“Dianne Feinstein was a force to be reckoned with. She was one of the most powerful voices in the Senate, and she blazed a trail for generations of women who followed her into elected office. I was so grateful to have her as my role model, my mentor, and a dear friend,” she wrote.

Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy spoke about Feinstein’s record as a key player in the fight against gun violence.

“From 1994, when she passed the Assault Weapons Ban as a first term Senator, until the tragedy in Newtown, Dianne Feinstein was a lonely voice fighting against gun violence,” he wrote on X.

“The modern anti-gun violence movement, now stronger than the gun lobby, would not exist but for Dianne.”

Former secretary of state Hillary Clinton paid tribute to Feinstein as a trailblazer for women in politics as well as a “friend”.

“I’m deeply saddened by the passing of Dianne Feinstein. She blazed trails for women in politics and found a life’s calling in public service,” she wrote on X.

“I’ll miss her greatly as a friend and colleague and send my condolences to all who loved her.”

Several Republicans also paid their respects, with the Senate GOP simply writing: “Senator Dianne Feinstein was a trailblazer. She leaves an indelible mark on the Senate and the country.”

In a press briefing, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said that, despite their differences, remembered Feinstein as an inspiration to other women in politics.

“As a long-standing senator, she broke barriers and blazed trails for women. Her career was historic. Personally, I worked with the senator for quite some time, and working together with many bills, but the one that stands out is the water legislation,” he said.

“It was historic, and the first time in California history that in more than 25 years we were able to pass water. It was the win act, and I remember the hours and the nights that we’d have to work to try to work through, and the challenges. We come from different parties and different parties, and we put the states first... I believe at the end of the day the trail blazing of the first woman-elected mayor even coming from a different party inspired women from both sides of the aisle to seek elected office and have their voices heard. My deepest condolences to her office and office staff.”

“Erin and I were saddened to hear of the death of Senator Dianne Feinstein. It has been an honor to serve with her in the Senate and on the Judiciary Committee. No one was more welcoming when I came to the Senate than she, and no one was a better example,” wrote Republican Mr Hawley.

“She was tough, incredibly smart, and effective. Always willing to work across the aisle to get things done, she was a person of unquestioned integrity. I admired her and will miss her in the Senate. Erin and I send our deepest condolences to her family.”

Starting out in local politics, Feinstein was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1969 before she became its first female president nine years later in 1978.

She then became San Francisco’s first female mayor after Mayor George Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk were shot dead outside City Hall by disgruntled colleague Dan White.

It was Feinstein who discovered Milk dying from his wounds – a moment that would go on to shape her unshakeable quest to stop gun violence.

She was first elected to represent California in the US Senate in 1992 – a time dubbed the “Year of the Woman” – marking the first of two women to become elected senator in California.

She held onto her seat ever since – serving five consecutive terms – and marked several other firsts, as the first woman to head the Senate Intelligence Committee and the first woman to serve as the Judiciary committee’s top Democrat.

Through her five decades in politics including three in the Senate, she became known as both trailblazer and a fierce debater who would deliver sharp comebacks on the issues close to her heart.

One major success came when she introduced a bill to ban the manufacturing and sales of assault weapons in 1994.

She often spoke passionately about seeing the effects of gun violence firsthand – as she held Milk’s bullet-ridden body.

The bill passed and was signed into law by President Bill Clinton in 1994.

But, in recent years, her age and declining health grew more apparent.

After the 2020 election, she announced that she was stepping down as the top Democrat on the Judiciary panel – at a time when the party was taking the majority contol of the panel.

Then, in February 2023, she confirmed she would not seek reelection, before her health issues escalated from there.

She is survived by daughter Katherine, son-in-law Rick, granddaughter Eileen, and three stepchildren.