The late Bill Richardson, former US ambassador to the UN, has passed away at the age of 75, as confirmed by his foundation.
During his tenure under President Bill Clinton, he gained widespread respect for his unwavering dedication to securing the freedom of American citizens detained globally. Even after leaving the realm of politics, he remained devoted to this cause, with one notable instance being his journey to Moscow last year to engage in talks regarding the release of detained basketball sensation Britney Griner.
Former President Clinton lauded Bill Richardson as a “masterful” negotiator. He said in a statement, “Bill worked tirelessly for the causes of freedom, fairness, and opportunity. Whether in an official or unofficial capacity, he was a masterful and persistent negotiator who helped make our world more secure and won the release of many individuals held unjustly abroad.”
Born in Pasadena, California, in 1947, to a Spanish-born mother and a Nicaraguan-born father, Bill Richardson’s upbringing took place in Mexico City before he attended a boarding school in Massachusetts.
Upon graduating from Tufts University in 1970, he swiftly acquired a master’s degree in 1971. His subsequent career in politics spanned several decades, during which he held significant national and state-level positions.
In 1983, he secured election to the US House, representing New Mexico’s Third District. Throughout his extensive political journey, he honed a specialization in diplomatic negotiations, skills that led President Clinton to appoint him as his envoy to the UN in 1997.
The following year, Mr. Richardson assumed the role of Mr. Clinton’s energy secretary, serving until the end of the administration.
Also Read:- SHOCKING ARREST: Former YouTube Star Ruby Franke Busted on Disturbing Child Abuse Charges
In 2002, Bill Richardson achieved a historic milestone as the sole Hispanic leader of a US state by winning the New Mexico governorship. His enduring popularity within the state led to his re-election for a second term in 2006, with an impressive 68% to 32% margin.
Mr. Clinton’s statement underscored Bill Richardson’s legacy as a “trailblazer” during his gubernatorial term, acknowledging that his “career paved the way for other Latino Americans to serve at the highest levels of American government.”
Also Read:- Devastating Blaze Claims 73 Lives, Including Children, in Heart-Wrenching Johannesburg Tragedy
His remarkable tenure in office rekindled a nationwide interest in politics, and as the 2008 presidential election drew near, he embarked on a daring campaign for the Democratic Party’s nomination, although it was considered a long-shot.
Despite his significant role in Mr. Clinton’s cabinet, his public endorsement of Barack Obama, following his withdrawal from the race – as opposed to Hillary Clinton – was perceived as a betrayal by many ardent Clinton supporters.
Subsequently, Mr. Obama nominated him for the position of secretary of commerce. However, he withdrew his nomination due to an ongoing investigation into allegations of improper business dealings, an inquiry that was ultimately dropped.
After leaving the governorship in 2011, he established his non-profit foundation, the Richardson Centre for Global Engagement. Here, he recommitted himself to the cause of securing the release of detained Americans.
Bill Richardson’s efforts included involvement in the release of US basketball star Brittney Griner from a Russian prison in December, following her conviction on a drug-related charge. 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, Bill Richardson played a pivotal role in brokering a deal for the release of American journalist Danny Fenster from a Myanmar prison. Previously, he had been instrumental in securing the freedom of US nationals detained in North Korea and conducted talks with diplomats from Pyongyang, seeking to ease tensions between the two Koreas.
His work, often involving dealings with autocratic regimes, led him to humorously refer to himself as the “informal under secretary for thugs.” Nevertheless, his dedication resulted in multiple Nobel Peace Prize nominations.
The Richardson Centre lauded him as a “champion for those held unjustly abroad.”
The foundation said in a statement, “He lived his entire life in the service of others – including both his time in government and his subsequent career helping to free people held hostage or wrongfully detained abroad. There was no person that Governor Richardson would not speak with if it held the promise of returning a person to freedom.”
US President Joe Biden paid tribute to Bill Richardson
US President Joe Biden paid tributes to Mr Richardson, to whom he called “a patriot and true original.”
“Few have served our nation in as many capacities or with as much relentlessness, creativity, and good cheer. His most lasting legacy will be the work Bill did to free Americans held in some of the most dangerous places on Earth,” Joe Biden said.
“He will be deeply missed,” Mr Biden added.
Also Read:- Teen Mackenzie Shirilla Receives Dual Life Sentences for Fatal Crash That Ended Dreams