Utah Mourns Mia Love, First Black GOP Congresswoman \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Hundreds gathered in Salt Lake City to honor former U.S. Rep. Mia Love, the first Black Republican woman elected to Congress, who died of brain cancer at age 49. A daughter of Haitian immigrants, Love was remembered as a political pioneer and devoted mother. Family, friends, and state leaders celebrated her resilience, leadership, and legacy.
Quick Looks
- Former U.S. Rep. Mia Love died March 23 at age 49 after battling glioblastoma brain cancer
- Hundreds gathered in Salt Lake City to honor her life and legacy
- Love was the first Black Republican woman elected to Congress
- Her family, friends, and Utah leaders spoke at a memorial service on the University of Utah campus
- Love’s husband shared heartfelt and humorous memories, calling her motherhood her “greatest superpower”
- Ed Sheeran’s “Supermarket Flowers” and favorite hymns were performed at the service
- Love served two terms before a narrow 2018 loss and later became a CNN political commentator
- She famously criticized Donald Trump over his remarks on immigrants from Haiti and Africa
- Love was Utah’s first Black woman mayor, elected in Saratoga Springs in 2009
- A public viewing was held at the Utah Capitol rotunda ahead of the service
Deep Look
Mia Love’s Life and Legacy Honored in Utah After Historic Trailblazing Career
A profound sense of reverence and reflection filled Salt Lake City on Monday as hundreds of mourners gathered to celebrate the life of Mia Love, a history-making politician, devoted mother, and the first Black Republican woman ever elected to the U.S. Congress.
Love, who died on March 23 at age 49 after a nearly three-year battle with glioblastoma, was remembered as a symbol of determination and principle—someone who defied political and cultural expectations throughout her career and life.
The service was held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Institute of Religion on the University of Utah campus, where guests walked through a flag-lined entrance and were greeted by bouquets of red and white flowers and framed photos showcasing Love’s family life and political achievements.
A Political Trailblazer Rooted in Family Values
Born Ludmya Bourdeau to Haitian immigrants, Mia Love made history when she was elected to Congress in 2014 to represent Utah. Though her tenure in the House lasted just two terms—cut short by a razor-thin loss in 2018 to Democrat Ben McAdams—her impact was enduring.
She emerged on the national scene with a passionate speech at the 2012 Republican National Convention, narrowly lost that year’s race, but won her seat in 2014, breaking barriers as a Black Republican, a Mormon, and a woman in overwhelmingly white, conservative Utah.
Despite her brief time in Congress, she left a lasting impression, later becoming a CNN political commentator and a voice for moderation and inclusion in the Republican Party. Her willingness to publicly rebuke then-President Donald Trump in 2018—especially for his vulgar comments about immigrants from Haiti, El Salvador, and Africa—drew both criticism and admiration.
Personal Stories Illuminate Her Legacy
During Monday’s service, her husband, Jason Love, brought smiles and laughter to the solemn gathering with anecdotes that reflected Mia’s charm, assertiveness, and ability to command any room.
He told a story about returning wedding toasters without receipts—failing, only for Mia to walk into the store and return minutes later with cash in hand.
“I thought, ‘Wow, I have married a Jedi knight,’” he joked.
Jason Love said his wife’s greatest “superpower” was her unshakable dedication as a mother, calling her “an extraordinary woman who believed the most important work she could do was within the walls of her own home.”
A Final Wish for Unity
One emotional moment came when her children—Alessa, Abigale, and Peyton—read aloud an op-ed their mother had written shortly before her death, published in the Deseret News, in which she called on Americans to rise above political division.
She urged the country to embrace unity and compassion, even in disagreement—values that defined her own political and personal life.
Family Tributes and Childhood Memories
Love’s sister, Cyndi Brito, shared memories of Mia’s childhood and her early passion for performance, especially in school plays where she always took leading roles.
Brito also shared a touching tribute from her third-grade daughter, Carly, who spoke about Mia at a Black History Month assembly, saying:
“Mia Love played many roles and had many titles, but the most important role in my eyes was auntie.”
Love’s Political Start in Utah and Historic Firsts
Before reaching national prominence, Mia Love began her political journey in Saratoga Springs, a small Utah city about 30 miles south of Salt Lake City. She was elected to the city council in 2003, then became mayor in 2009, making her the first Black woman to serve as a mayor in Utah.
In 2012, she narrowly lost a bid for Congress, but her passionate rhetoric and charismatic presence on the national stage catapulted her into the spotlight. In 2014, she returned to the ballot and won—breaking barriers and challenging stereotypes in the process.
A Long Battle with Brain Cancer
Love revealed her glioblastoma diagnosis in 2022, saying doctors gave her 10 to 15 months to live. With aggressive treatment—including immunotherapy in a clinical trial—she survived nearly three years after her diagnosis, a testament to her willpower and spirit.
When she first learned of her illness, Love asked friends and family to support her the way a campaign team would. Utah Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson, one of Love’s closest friends, remembered Mia saying:
“I’m in fight mode, and what I need from you all, more than anything, is to help me fight it. This is a campaign, and we are going to win.”
Utah’s Final Goodbye
The evening before her memorial, Utah residents paid tribute at the Utah State Capitol, where Love’s flag-draped coffin was displayed in the rotunda. Members of the public and state leaders came to offer condolences and reflect on her legacy.
Mia Love’s passing marks the end of a chapter in Utah and U.S. political history—one defined by resilience, grace, and the power of representation. Though her political career was brief, her influence and example will remain long remembered by those she inspired.
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