Hillary Clinton is mourning the death of a beloved family member this week.
The former first lady of the United States and Democratic presidential candidate took to Twitter to announce that her youngest brother, Tony Rodham, passed away.
The politician did not divulge the details surrounding Rodham's cause of death, but she did reveal that he died on Friday, June 7. He was 54 years old.
"It’s hard to find words, my mind is flooded with memories of him today," Clinton wrote. "When he walked into a room he’d light it up with laughter.
The 71-year-old former secretary of state described her brother as "kind" and "generous." She added, "We'll miss him very much."
Rodham was part of the Democratic National Committee that helped Clinton with her 2008 political campaigns. While he didn't play a significant role in Clinton's 2016 campaign, he made a few appearances alongside his sister. He also held a variety of jobs over the year, including working as an insurance salesman, prison guard, private detective and repo man.
We lost my brother Tony last night. It’s hard to find words, my mind is flooded with memories of him today. When he walked into a room he’d light it up with laughter. He was kind, generous, & a wonderful husband to Megan & father to Zach, Simon, & Fiona. We’ll miss him very much.
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) June 8, 2019
Rodham, along with his older brother Hugh, made headlines in the late 90s when they became involved in shady international business dealings. The brothers planned to export hazelnuts from the former Soviet Republic of Georgia in partnership with a political rival of then-Gerogian and Clinton ally President Eduard Shevarnadze.
In 1999, the White House released a statement, clarifying that the government of the United States is not affiliated with the business venture.
“If in fact this project is still going forward, we don’t approve and will continue to make clear to Georgian officials that this venture has no connection with or sanction from the U.S. government,” White House spokesman Joe Lockhart said at the time.
Shortly after the controversy, Rodham revealed that having a sister and brother-in-law in the position of power was bittersweet.
"It can go both ways," Rodham said. "There's some wonderful things that have happened to me because of my relationship with Hillary and Bill, and there's been some really terrible things that have happened to me."
As for his personal life, Chicago-born Rodham married Nicole Boxer, the daughter of former U.S. senator Barbara Boxer, at the White House in 1994. Unfortunately, their marriage ended in divorce seven years later. The pair had one son, Zachary.
In 2005, Rodham wed Megan Madden. The couple eventually welcomed two children, Simon and Fiona.
Rodham is survived by his wife, children and siblings.
