Retired Supreme Court Associate Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, the first woman to serve on the nation’s highest court, has died, the Supreme Court announced. She was 93 years old.
O’Connor died Friday morning in Phoenix, Arizona, from complications related to advanced dementia, likely Alzheimer’s, and a respiratory illness, the Supreme Court said in a statement.
In a statement, Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr. praised O’Connor as a history-making justice with a fierce independent streak.
“Sandra Day O’Connor, a daughter of the American Southwest, blazed a historic trail as our nation’s first female justice. She met that challenge with unwavering determination, unquestioned ability and disarming candor,” Roberts said.
“We, at the Supreme Court, mourn the loss of a dear colleague, a fiercely independent advocate for the rule of law, and an eloquent advocate for civic education. And we celebrate her enduring legacy as a true public servant and patriot.”
This is a developing story and will be updated.
