Colin Powell was the first Black national security adviser, the first Black chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the first Black secretary of state. As secretary of State, he was fourth in the presidential line of succession. According to a statement from his family, Colin Powell was fully vaccinated and was treated at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.
Colin Powell, the trailblazing soldier and statesman, has died from Covid complications at the age of 84.
Powell, who was fully vaccinated against Covid, had several underlying conditions. He had been suffering from Parkinson’s disease and had been treated recently for multiple myeloma, according to a Powell family spokesperson.
Multiple myeloma is a type of blood cancer that hurts the body’s ability to fight infections.
Fully vaccinated people with weakened immune systems make up a large proportion of hospitalized breakthrough cases, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Powell had also undergone surgery for prostate cancer when he was secretary of State nearly two decades ago.
Powell and his wife, Alma Powell, tested positive for Covid a week ago. Alma Powell, who will soon turn 84 herself, has been suffering Covid symptoms and was recovering at home, the spokesperson said.
Colin Powell had planned to get a booster shot last week, but he wasn’t feeling well enough to get it, the spokesperson added. Colin Powell was fully vaccinated against COVID-19 but had to fight an uphill battle due to underlying conditions. His death highlights the dangers of COVID-19 for people with weakened immune systems.