Former US Secretary of State Colin Powell has died aged 84 of Covid-19 complications, his family has announced, the BBC reports.
He was a former top military officer who rose to become the first African-American secretary of state in 2001 under Republican George W Bush.
“We have lost a remarkable and loving husband, father, grandfather and a great American,” a statement said.
“We want to thank the medical staff… for their caring treatment,” it added.
Mr Powell became a trusted military adviser to a number of leading US politicians.
He also saw service in Vietnam, an experience that later helped define his own military and political strategies.