Mia Love, the former Utah representative who served as the first Black Republican woman in Congress, died Sunday at age 49. 

The daughter of Haitian immigrants, she made history by representing Utah’s 4th District from 2015 to 2019.  

Love’s family announced her death on her social media accounts.

“With grateful hearts filled to overflowing for the profound influence of Mia on our lives, we want you to know that she passed away peacefully. She was in her home surrounded by family,” her family said.

While the family did not mention a cause of death in their statement, Love’s daughter Abigale said in early March that her mother’s glioblastoma brain cancer had progressed and was no longer responding to treatment. Abigale shared that the family would be shifting their focus from treatment to enjoying their remaining time with Love.

The former Utah lawmaker was born in New York and raised in Connecticut. Her parents immigrated from Haiti to the United States with what she believed was $10 in their pocket and a belief that hard work would lead to success. 

Love said she was raised to believe passionately in the American dream and “to love this country, warts and all.” “America at its roots is respectful, resilient, giving and grounded in gritty determination,” she said.

She entered politics in 2003 when she won a seat on the city council in Saratoga Springs, Utah, where she served from 2004 until 2010. Later she became the city’s mayor before running for Congress. 

Love’s election in conservative and majority-White Utah was hailed as a watershed moment for the Republican Party and a chance for the party to gain traction with voters of color. Love would often say that she defied naysayers who thought a Black, Republican and Mormon woman couldn’t win a congressional seat in overwhelmingly White Utah.

The Republican Party considered Love a rising star for many years. In the House, she tackled sexual harassment, supported anti-abortion policies and sat on a panel that investigated Planned Parenthood. Love frequently criticized President Donald Trump’s policies on immigration and tariffs. She also didn’t seek his endorsement during her re-election campaign in 2018, which she lost by less than 700 votes. The blue-leaning district ultimately voted for the Democrat, Salt Lake County Mayor Ben McAdams. 

The Utah Legislature honored Love on March 5 with an official citation for her service to the state and country. Love joined the event virtually from her treatment center and some of her family attended in person.

“Mia Love exemplifies strength, resilience and unwavering determination, inspiring all who know her story. The Utah legislature expresses its deepest sympathy to Congresswoman Love and her family during this difficult time, offering them comfort and support as they navigate her ongoing battle,” the citation read.

In an op-ed she wrote this month in the Deseret News, Love said that politics exposed her to the United States’ ugly side, but also gave her a front-row seat to be inspired by people’s hope and courage. She wrote that she wanted neighbors to come together and focus on their similarities  rather than their differences.

“In the end, I hope that my life will have mattered and made a difference for the nation I love and the family and friends I adore,” Love wrote.

Love is survived by her husband, Jason; daughters Alessa and Abigale; son, Peyton; and one grandchild. Her family will share details about funeral arrangements and a public celebration of her life this week.