Virginia Sen. Mark Warner announced that his daughter Madison has died. She was 36.
“We are heartbroken beyond words by the passing of our beloved daughter Madison … after a decades-long battle with juvenile diabetes and other health issues,” Warner, 71, and wife Lisa Collis wrote in a statement shared via Instagram on Monday, April 20. “She filled our lives with love and laughter, and her absence leaves an immeasurable void.”
The statement continued, “We are grateful for the loving support of friends and family during this difficult time and ask for privacy as we navigate this profound loss.”
Several politicians sent their condolences to Warner’s family following their loss.
“Our prayers are with Sen. Warner, his daughter, and their whole family,” Vice President JD Vance wrote via X on Monday. “What a terrible loss at such a young age. May God comfort them.”
Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger also sent her sympathies to the Warner family.
“My deepest condolences are with the Warner family as Mark and Lisa mourn their beloved daughter and Gillian and Eliza mourn their sister, Madison,” Spanberger wrote via X on Monday. “Adam and I are holding them all in our hearts and prayers during this time of great loss.”
Warner’s Senate colleague Tim Kaine paid tribute to Madison reflecting on her bond with her father.
“Anne and I have known Mark and Lisa for decades, and nothing in the world has ever mattered more to them than their daughters,” Kaine wrote in a statement via X on Monday. “We met Madison when she was ten years old and have so many wonderful memories of time together with her. We are keeping the entire Warner family and all who knew and loved Madison in our prayers as they grieve this terrible loss.”
Warner is a senior senator representing Virginia as a Democrat. He was elected to office in 2009. Warner serves as the vice chair of the Senate Democratic Caucus and the Senate Intelligence Committee. Before joining Congress, Warner was governor of Virginia from 2002 to 2006.
While Warner has been a public figure for the past few decades, Madison lived her life out of the spotlight. In 2019, Warner opened up about his daughter’s battle with juvenile diabetes.
“As the father of a daughter with Juvenile Diabetes, this just breaks my heart,” he tweeted at the time alongside a BuzzFeed article discussing the challenges of a person battling type 1 diabetes. “Congress and the pharmaceutical companies need to step up to make sure insulin is affordable and accessible for those who need it.”
Warner and Collis have two other daughters: Gillian and Eliza.
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