Tributes pour in at the news of Rep. Mia Love’s death
Mar 24, 2025, 8:01 AM | Updated: 2:21 pm
NATIONAL HARBOR, MD - MARCH 03: U.S. Rep. Mia Love (R-UT) speaks during the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) March 3, 2016 in National Harbor, Maryland. The American Conservative Union hosted its annual Conservative Political Action Conference to discuss conservative issues. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)
(Alex Wong/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY — Utah’s leaders are reacting to the news of Rep. Mia Love’s death. Love died Sunday after a three-year battle with brain cancer. She was 49 years old.
Love made history as the first Black Republican woman elected to Congress in 2014.
Those who were present during her final hours told KSL it was a powerful, moving moment, surrounded by her family, looking back on her life, sharing stories, reflecting on her legacy in politics and how she feels about America.
“Endings matter. It was one of those extraordinary endings,” said Boyd Matheson, former KSL political host.
Matheson was there during her final moments. He worked as Love’s speech writer when she spoke at the Republican National Convention in 2012, later helping Love write her memoir “Qualified,” which described her life and optimism for the American dream.
“They were literally celebrating that right until the end; in fact, her children were all sitting around her bed, and they were listening to her book ‘Qualified’ in her own voice,” Matheson said.
Honoring Mia Love
It did not take long for the news of Love’s death to reach Utah’s current and former government leaders. Former Gov. Gary Herbert took to X to give, “heartfelt love and condolences” to Love’s family. Herbert, who served as Utah’s governor from 2012 to 2021 worked with Love in her role as mayor of Saratoga Springs and as a member of Congress.
Jeanette and I extend our heartfelt love and condolences to the family of Cong. Mia Love. Working with her over the years as Mayor, Congresswoman, a concerned citizen, and watching her contribute to the debate on CNN has been inspiring to me and many others. She will be missed. https://t.co/UqAKVsyjYv
— Gary R. Herbert (@GovHerbert) March 24, 2025
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox posted his tribute Sunday evening calling Love “a true trailblazer visionary leader, Mia inspired countless Utahns through her courage, grace, and unwavering belief in the American dream. Her legacy leaves a lasting, positive impact on our state.”
Former Sen. Mitt Romney also posted on X saying, “Her faith and fortitude made her a model for me and for countless others.”
Lt. Gov. Deidre M. Henderson also paid tribute, saying, “Mia Love was a fearless leader, a history-maker, and a woman of deep conviction.”
“She was so passionate about what she doing, and had this ability to get to the essence of the country, what the heart of the country was feeling,” Matheson said.
Matheson said her reach even extends to America’s top leaders in government.
“I got a text this morning from former Vice President Mike Pence making sure the family knew that he and his wife were praying for the Love family and that they were grateful for her legacy and for her impact on the country,” Matheson said.
On March 1, Love’s daughter Abigale announced on X that her mother’s cancer was no longer responding to treatment.
Hello Friends, I’m Mia’s daughter Abigale. Many of you are aware that Mom has been fighting GBM brain cancer. Sadly her cancer is no longer responding to treatment and the cancer is progressing. We have a shifted our focus from treatment to enjoying our remaining time with her. I… pic.twitter.com/xlJfSC3IX7
— Mia Love (@MiaBLove) March 1, 2025
Mia Love’s ‘living wish’
Just weeks before her death, Love wrote a letter in the Deseret News to acknowledge the end of her cancer battle and express her “living wish.”
Love reflected on her roles in government and recognized the challenges of divisive politics but expressed finding inspiration in the courage, vision and hope of Americans.
The America I know is great — not because government made it great but because ordinary citizens like me, like my parents and like you are given the opportunity every day to do extraordinary things.
Love is survived by her husband, Jason Love, and their three children.
Matheson said Love’s family is planning a private funeral but also anticipating a public celebration of life. So far, no details have been released.
Related: Mia Love talks about cancer diagnosis and faith
