Colin Powell Dies From COVID-19 Complications

Colin Powell has died. The first African American to serve as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and U.S. Secretary of State died Monday. He was 84.

Powell was said to be fully vaccinated but also suffered from Parkinson's Disease and cancer. Born of immigrants and during the Great Depression era, Colin Powell was once considered a strong contender for President of the United States.

Although he never ran for president, his popularity soared. With him being Secretary of State, he became the highest ranking African American public official to date in the United States. Later in life, he used his political resources to endorse Barack Obama who became the first African American U.S. President.

Powell certainly broke barriers. He served in Vietnam and then became the first African American national security advisor while under Ronald Reagan's Presidency.

His family released a statement and said"We have lost a remarkable and loving husband, father, grandfather and a great American."

Former President George W. Bush said, "a great public servant" who was "such a favorite of Presidents that he earned the Presidential Medal of Freedom -- twice. He was highly respected at home and abroad. And most important, Colin was a family man and a friend."

Colin Powell is survived by his wife of 62 years and 3 children.