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In a somber announcement, the foundation of the former US ambassador to the United Nations, Bill Richardson, revealed his passing at the age of 75. Bill Richardson had carved a remarkable legacy for himself, serving as a prominent diplomat and advocate for the release of US citizens detained globally. His dedication to this cause remained unwavering throughout his life.
Bill Richardson's journey in diplomacy took root during his tenure under President Bill Clinton, where he attracted widespread admiration for his unwavering commitment to securing the freedom of US citizens held captive in foreign lands. His expertise in negotiation was on full display when he ventured into Moscow last year, focusing his efforts on securing the release of the detained basketball star, Britney Griner. President Clinton himself lauded Richardson as a "masterful" negotiator, a testament to his exceptional skills in diplomatic relations.
Born in Pasadena, California, in 1947 to a Spanish-born mother and a Nicaraguan-born father, Bill Richardson's early years were spent in Mexico City before he embarked on a transformative journey by attending a boarding school in Massachusetts. After graduating from Tufts University in 1970, he pursued a master's degree in 1971, marking the beginning of a storied career in politics that would see him hold significant national and state-wide offices.
In 1983, he achieved election to the US House, representing New Mexico's Third District. Over the ensuing five decades in the political arena, Richardson honed his expertise in diplomatic negotiations, a skill set that would lead to his appointment as President Clinton's envoy to the UN in 1997. The following year, he assumed the role of Mr. Clinton's energy secretary, continuing his service until the end of the administration.
In 2002, Bill Richardson secured a historic milestone as the only Hispanic leader of a US state when he emerged victorious in the New Mexico governorship election. His enduring popularity within the state saw him re-elected for a second term in 2006, winning by an impressive margin of 68% to 32%. President Clinton praised Richardson's term as governor, describing him as a "trailblazer" and underscoring that his career had paved the way for other Latino Americans to ascend to the highest echelons of American government.
Bill Richardson's success in office reignited national interest in his political career, leading him to launch a long-shot bid for the Democratic Party's nomination in the run-up to the 2008 presidential election. Despite his pivotal role in President Clinton's cabinet, his public endorsement of Barack Obama, rather than Hillary Clinton, during the primaries was perceived as a betrayal by many Clinton supporters.
Subsequently, Mr. Obama nominated him as secretary of commerce, but he withdrew his nomination due to a pending investigation into allegations of improper business dealings. This investigation was later dropped.
Upon leaving the governorship in 2011, Bill Richardson established his non-profit foundation, the Richardson Center for Global Engagement, where he continued his tireless efforts to secure the release of detained Americans. Notable among his achievements in this regard was his involvement in securing the release of US basketball star Britney Griner from a Russian prison in December, following her conviction on a drug offense. He also engaged with Russian government officials in the months leading up to the release of US Marine Trevor Reed in a prisoner exchange. In 2021, he played a crucial role in brokering a deal for the release of American journalist Danny Fenster from a Myanmar prison.
Bill Richardson's work extended to North Korea, where he helped secure the release of US nationals held in detention and engaged in talks with Pyongyang diplomats to de-escalate tensions between the two Koreas. His dealings with autocratic regimes led to him humorously referring to himself as the "informal under secretary for thugs," but it also earned him multiple nominations for the Nobel Peace Prize.
The Richardson Center for Global Engagement celebrated him as a "champion for those held unjustly abroad," emphasizing his lifelong commitment to serving others, both during his time in government and his subsequent career focused on securing the freedom of those wrongfully detained.
US President Joe Biden led the tributes to Bill Richardson, describing him as "a patriot and true original." Biden highlighted Richardson's extensive service to the nation and his relentless dedication to freeing Americans held in some of the world's most perilous places. "He will be deeply missed," President Biden added.
Democratic Senator Bob Menendez also paid tribute, calling Bill Richardson "a quintessential public servant in every sense of the word" and underscoring his unwavering commitment to improving the lives of those around him. New Mexico Senator Martin Heinrich noted that Richardson's legacy would have a lasting impact, a legacy to the indelible mark he left on American politics and diplomacy.
