Colin Powell, who was the first Black national security adviser, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and secretary of state in U.S. history, died at 84 of Covid-19. He was fully vaccinated, his family said.
He served under President George W. Bush and was a four-star general who rendered his duty as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from 1989-1993.
The New Yorker was also a soldier for over 30 years.
Colin Powell’s immune system was weakened by treatment for multiple myeloma, his family said. People with multiple myeloma are at greater risk of developing severe Covid-19. Vaccines are also likely to be less effective in these patients.
Former President Bush called him ‘a great public servant’, while remembering him upon his death.