Bill Richardson, former New Mexico governor and U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, died in his sleep at his home in Chatham, Massachusetts, at the age of 75 according to a statement from the Richardson Center for Global Engagement, which he founded and led.
Richardson's life had been a shining example of resilience, serving others in both his time in government and his subsequent career collaborating to free those detained or held hostage abroad. As a Fox News article detailed, Vice President of the Richardson Center, Mickey Bergman, paid tribute to Richardson as a man who "lived his entire life in the service of others." Bergman stated that there was no person Richardson would not speak with if it held the promise of returning someone to freedom and that the world has lost a champion for those held unjustly abroad.
Richardson's career was long and storied, beginning in the 1980s as the first representative elected to New Mexico's 3rd Congressional District. By 1997, he was appointed U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, serving through 1998. In 2002, Richardson was elected governor of New Mexico and served for two terms as the state's top leader, even making a brief run for President in 2007. Despite this, Richardson remained committed to championing diplomacy on a global scale.
Even during his tenure as governor, Richardson engaged in freelance diplomacy, including delicate negotiations with North Korea. In 2011, he established the Richardson Center for Global Engagement with a focus on conflict resolution and prisoner release. Richardson would later play a vital role in the release of Otto Warmbier and WNBA star Brittney Griner.
In addition to his diplomatic pursuits, Richardson's time in office was marked by several significant accomplishments. Richardson signed legislation repealing the death penalty in 2009. He raised the state minimum wage from $5.15 to $7.50 per hour and implemented renewable energy requirements for utilities. His administration also financed large infrastructure projects, such as a commercial spaceport in southern New Mexico and a $400 million commuter rail system.
Richardson's leadership style was characterized by an unwavering determination to achieve his goals. His friends and supporters often attributed his success to his relentless pursuit of progress. Bob Gallagher, head of the New Mexico Oil and Gas Association, once described Richardson as a man who would relentlessly push for what he wanted, with a "shotgun at the end of the hallway" or a "ramrod" approach as reported by Boston 25 News.
His relentless nature was also applied to his diplomacy. Richardson once described himself as the "informal undersecretary for thugs" in a Boston 25 News article. This candid recognition of his unique role in engaging with difficult personalities on the global stage may have been seen by some as controversial, however, it also reveals a man who was unafraid of defying conventional diplomatic norms.
Senator Ben Ray Luján, D-N.M., issued a statement calling Richardson a "giant in public service and government" and someone who "leaves behind a legacy that will never be matched."
