Sen. Lindsey Graham, 71, died of aortic dissection, heart disease, medical examiner reports

Most people leave politics enriched in their bank accounts. Instead, late Sen. Lindsey Graham left the world enriched by his presence.

Despite spending more than three decades in Congress, Graham left behind comparatively modest wealth for a longtime Washington figure, according to a Fox News Digital review of financial disclosures.

The South Carolina Republican’s May filings estimated his net worth at about $1.4 million, with a lower-end estimate just above $600,000 and an upper estimate a little over $2.2 million.

Graham’s assets were held largely in mutual funds and government bonds, keeping him away from the stock-trading controversies that have followed some members of Congress.

Graham had a long rise from humble roots in South Carolina, where he helped run his family’s restaurant, later becoming an Air Force veteran and being the first in his family to attend college.

Graham died Saturday at 71.

Fox News' Robert Schmad contributed to this report.

Former Vice President Mike Pence paid tribute to the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, calling the South Carolina Republican an “American patriot” and a “matchless voice for freedom.”

Appearing on “The Faulkner Focus,” Pence remembered Graham as a committed conservative who had a clear view of America’s allies and adversaries.

Pence pointed to Graham’s work on border security, his support for a strong U.S. military and his unwavering stance against Russian aggression in Ukraine.

He also highlighted Graham’s role in the confirmation of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, calling it one of the major legislative fights that defined Graham’s career.

Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., has endorsed President Donald Trump's recommendation to be Sen. Lindsey Graham's successor.

"Lindsey Graham’s sister, Darline Graham Nordone, would be a fantastic pick to serve out the reminder of the senate term," Scott wrote Monday on X, sharing Trump's Truth Social announcement.

"After speaking with Darline, there is no one better who understands Lindsey’s love for family, our state, and our country."

South Carolina Republican Gov. Henry McMaster has announced a 4 p.m. news conference to announce the selection to serve out the remainder of Graham's term until January.

A summer primary and November election will determine the holder of the seat for the following six years.

Scott has spoken multiple times with Darline over the last 24 hours, sources told Fox News Digital, and will join her for 4 p.m. ET announcement in Columbia, South Carolina.

She expected to be sworn into the U.S. Senate on Wednesday.

Fox News' Paul Steinhauser and Alex Miller contributed to this report.

First lady Melania Trump mourned the death of Sen. Lindsey Graham, posting a touching tribute on X.

"I am saddened by the unexpected passing of Senator Graham," she wrote. "Lindsey devoted his life to the service of our nation, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to his duties.

"My deepest sympathies go out to his family, friends, and all those whose lives were touched by his enduring legacy.”

Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., reflected on the legacy of the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, praising his long career and deep commitment to public service.

Appearing on Fox News, Lankford highlighted Graham’s work on foreign policy and Middle East peace efforts, saying Graham brought passion and persistence to some of the toughest issues facing the country.

He also remembered Graham’s blunt, candid style, which made him one of the Senate’s most recognizable and outspoken voices.

Lankford said Graham’s impact will be felt well beyond Washington as lawmakers continue to honor his service to South Carolina and the nation.

"Nobody" can fill the void left behind by the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., according to Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas.

"He will be missed," Cruz said on his podcast Monday. "He left a legacy that was extraordinary, and I will say whether you agreed with him or disagreed with him, Lindsey loved this country, and he devoted every waking moment of his life to fighting for this country.

"That was his mission, and I admired that. I admired that it was real. It was genuine, and he made a profound difference."

Cruz worked most closely with Graham on Iran, calling him an “incredible ally” in pushing President Donald Trump to take a hard line against Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.

“The president has said repeatedly, Iran will never get a nuclear weapon," Cruz said. "There will be zero enrichment, and Lindsey was an incredible ally that I was fighting alongside. And the president listened to us, which is part of why we've seen the president's incredible strong leadership taking out Iran's military capacity and stopping them from getting nuclear weapons that was one of the most important legacies Lindsey ever had.”

He also praised Graham’s energy, patriotism and commitment to public service, saying the late senator “devoted every waking moment of his life to fighting for this country.”

“Lindsey Graham made an enormous difference for our country,” Cruz said.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., honored the late Sen. Lindsey Graham on Monday while urging the Senate to move quickly on their bipartisan Russia sanctions bill.

“Sen. Graham was exultant – he was as enthusiastic and exuberant as I’ve ever seen him when we spoke in our last lengthy conversation," Blumenthal told reporters.

"He said to me, this is a big effing deal. We all did good, and he was ready to go on the floor of the Senate.

Blumenthal said he and Graham “disagreed profoundly and passionately” on many issues, including Iran, Trump’s tax cuts, the SAVE Act and President Donald Trump himself, but came together on Ukraine and national security.

"No one can truly replace him,” Blumenthal said of Graham. “No one can fully fill his shoes. But in his memory, I hope my colleagues on both sides of the aisle will unite behind this bill.”

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., reflected on the sudden death of Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C. saying the South Carolina Republican’s influence will be felt across the Senate and beyond.

“I can’t imagine this place without Lindsey,” Thune told Fox News' “America’s Newsroom,” citing Graham’s impact on national security, the judiciary, budget fights and the pro-life movement.

Thune, R-S.D., said he spoke with Graham’s sister and the governor of South Carolina as lawmakers continue mourning the loss of one of the Senate GOP’s most recognizable voices.

Graham’s bipartisan work was evident as Democrats often turned to him when they needed to get something done, according to Thune.

“There was no better person to work with than Lindsey Graham,” Thune said, calling him fearless in the legislative process.

President Donald Trump called on the U.S. Senate to pass the CLARITY Act in honor of the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C.

"In honor of Senator Lindsey Graham, a big supporter, the U.S. Senate should pass the Clarity Act," Trump wrote Monday on Truth Social.

"China, and many other countries, would like to take complete and total control of this major financial 'happening,' as well as A.I., where we are now leading, but where they are fighting hard.

"Don’t let China win on either subject!!!"

There are three countries mourning the loss of late Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., according to President Donald Trump, hailing the large voice for Israel, Ukraine and the U.S.

“We lost a great man,” Trump told Monday's “Fox & Friends,” calling Graham “a great politician,” “a kind man” and “a very smart person.”

Graham fought hard for Israel, Ukraine and other countries, but said “the real loser was the United States of America.”

He also praised Graham’s work ethic and media presence, saying the senator approached public service with patriotism, pride and preparation.

“He did it because he loved our country,” Trump said.

Late Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., was "99.9" percent perfect, according to President Donald Trump on Monday.

Trump reflected on his complicated relationship, saying the two became close allies after clashing during the 2016 Republican presidential primary.

Graham was initially “totally against” him and targeted him on the campaign trail in South Carolina, Trump told "Fox & Friends," but added their relationship changed after Graham exited the race.

“Once that ended, I became really good friends with him,” he said.

Trump also pointed to Graham’s public break with him after Jan. 6 as the one major strain in their relationship, saying Graham later regretted the remarks.

“I give him a 99.9 instead of 100,” Trump said, describing Graham’s career as “amazing” and calling him a major part of his political story.

President Donald Trump detailed the last-hour call from late Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., talking about undoing the Senate filibuster to pass the Save America Act.

"He came back from Ukraine and he called me and which didn't surprise me at all, and he said, I'm back and told me a couple of things he was very strong on: Fighting for the Save America Act," Trump told "Fox & Friends."

"And I'm not sure if he was at the beginning, but he really became the primary advocate for it, and I think he would have felt the same way about terminating the filibuster, which was so important. I mean, it's so important that the Republicans have to do it. So insane."

The late Sen. Lindsey Graham would want “nothing more” than for Congress to pass a Russia sanctions bill, according to Rep. Mike McCaul, R-Texas, pointing to the South Carolina Republican’s long record as a forceful voice on foreign policy.

Appearing on “One Nation,” McCaul reflected on Graham’s influence in Congress, describing him as a lawmaker who shaped debates on national security, Russia, Ukraine and America’s role abroad.

McCaul said Graham’s legacy extended beyond foreign policy, citing his impact on domestic policy and his ability to drive major conversations inside the Republican Party.

Tributes poured in for late Sen. Lindsey Graham, 71, with lawmakers from both parties remembering his decades of public service and influence on foreign policy, while they question how to replace the irreplaceable and irascible.

Sens. Chris Coons, D-Del., and Cory Booker, D-N.J., were among those honoring Graham’s legacy, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also reflected on his role as a prominent GOP voice on the world stage.

Rep. Sheri Biggs, R-S.C., discussed Graham’s service to South Carolina and the political process now ahead to fill his Senate seat.

Graham is being remembered as a forceful advocate, a loyal South Carolinian and one of the Senate’s most consequential Republican figures.

The late Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., was remembered as a public servant whose relationships reached across party lines and whose humor helped soften even the Senate’s sharpest divides, according to former Sen. Joe Manchin, I-W.Va.

Manchin told “Fox & Friends” of Graham’s commitment to compromise, his deep understanding of his colleagues and his ability to bring levity to difficult moments in Washington.

Manchin also recalled Graham’s influence during Brett Kavanaugh’s Supreme Court confirmation fight, saying the South Carolina Republican’s advice helped shape his pivotal vote.

Lawmakers continue to honor Graham as a loyal friend, skilled legislator and one of the Senate’s most memorable personalities.

Trey Gowdy delivered an emotional eulogy for his friend Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., reflecting on the life beyond politics.

Gowdy remembered Graham’s humble beginnings in his home state of South Carolina, and spoke about the personal qualities that shaped his decades of public service.He described Graham as a loyal friend, devoted family man and tireless public servant whose legacy extended far beyond Washington.

The tribute also touched on the fragility of life, with Gowdy honoring Graham’s enduring impact on his state, his country and the people who knew him best.

Memorials for late Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., are going to be "maxed out" for a full week, according to President Donald Trump.

"We lowered the flags for a full week for Lindsey, which is, we maxed out and we've got every American flag in the country lowered until Saturday night," Trump told Monday's "Fox & Friends." "He was a special man.

"And we're going to give him a special type of funeral because he deserves it."

Sen. Lindsey Graham’s fiery defense of Brett Kavanaugh during his 2018 Supreme Court confirmation fight was “one of the 10 greatest moments in Congress,” President Donald Trump remembered Monday.

“When he got angry, like he did in the case of Brett Kavanaugh, it was so impactful,” Trump told "Fox & Friends." “I think it saved Brett becoming a justice.”

Democrats were preparing to “do something very bad” to Kavanaugh before Graham “went on his tirade,” calling the moment “a top 10 in politics.”

"I think it was one of the great 10 moments of Congress, if you want to know the truth," Trump continued. "I said that was one of the 10 greatest moments in Congress, and I think you wouldn't find 10 other cases where somebody did what he was able to do there."

Trump compared it to "the top 10 in sports: This was a top 10 in politics."

“He saved Brett from a very, very unfair decision,” Trump said, adding that Kavanaugh was “so qualified and such a good man.”

President Trump remembered his friend Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., fondly Monday morning after his sudden death Saturday night.

"Well, I don't feel great," Trump told "Fox & Friends." "He was a great guy, and he was a friend. He would call me all the time.

"I'd say, stop calling me, Lindsey. It was amazing, you know?

"He just didn't stop. And he would be. He was a worker. He was a total workaholic politician."

Remembering the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., cannot be done without his impassioned speech during Brett Kavanaugh’s Supreme Court confirmation hearings in 2018.

Lee Holmes, former chief counsel, helps resurface details of Graham’s fiery defense of Kavanaugh, when the senator denounced the process as an “unethical sham,” as a turning point in the nationally watched confirmation battle.

President Donald Trump called it Graham's "finest moment."

Graham showed courage, compassion and resolve during one of the most contentious Senate hearings in recent memory, according to Holmes.

The moment became one of Graham’s most memorable public stands, helping cement his place as a forceful defender of conservative judicial nominees and a key Republican voice in the Senate.

Fellow South Carolinian Ainsley Earhardt honored the life and legacy of Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., reflecting on the rise from humble beginnings to becoming one of the most influential voices in American politics.

Earhardt highlighted Graham’s early personal hardship, including the responsibility he took on after the deaths of his parents, when he helped raise his younger sister.

Graham’s life was marked by resilience, loyalty to South Carolina and a deep commitment to public service, she remembered after the senator died Saturday night from a sudden illness.

Earhardt also pointed to Graham’s foreign policy expertise, which helped make him a respected and formidable figure in the Senate across decades of national security debates.

Graham will be remembered for his tireless work, his devotion to his state and his lasting impact on the country.

The Senate returns this week without two longtime Republicans stalwarts on the floor, as Republicans face a packed July agenda with a narrower margin after Sen. Lindsey Graham’s death and Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., still recovering from a June health emergency.

Graham’s sudden death at 71 leaves Republicans down a key vote as Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., looks to keep his conference unified behind President Donald Trump’s priorities.

McConnell, R-Ky., said Sunday he is not yet able to return to the Senate floor after a fall that left him briefly unconscious and led to a hospital stay complicated by mild pneumonia.

The absences come as the Senate faces a crowded slate, including nominations, FISA reauthorization, government funding, renewed Iran strikes and Trump’s push to move the SAVE America Act.

Democrats are expected to test GOP unity, while Republicans try to avoid handing Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., leverage on must-pass legislation such as defense and spending bills.

Fox News' Alex Miller contributed to this report.

Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., addressed his own health emergency Sunday as the death of Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., further tightened Republicans’ Senate majority.

McConnell said in a statement to constituents that he was hospitalized after a fall last month that briefly left him unconscious. He said doctors found no broken bones, concussion, heart attack, stroke, tumors or hemorrhages, but he developed a mild case of pneumonia during his hospital stay.

McConnell says he moved from hospital care to a rehabilitation center, where he is continuing physical therapy and working toward a return to the Senate floor.

“On the advice of my doctors, I won’t be able to return to the Senate floor to vote quite yet,” McConnell said, adding that he remains engaged with staff and Senate colleagues on appropriations, midterm politics and constituent services.

"I'll keep working hard to get back on the Senate floor as soon as possible," McConnell added without providing a timeline for his return.

McConnell’s update comes as Republicans confront Graham’s sudden death at 71, creating a closely watched South Carolina vacancy and narrowing the GOP’s working margin in the Senate to just 51-47.

Reuters contributed to this report.

President Donald Trump said Sunday he has somebody great in mind to succeed the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, S.C., but said it was too soon to discuss the pick publicly as his friend first must be fondly remembered.

Graham’s sudden death has set off an urgent succession process in South Carolina, where Republican Gov. Henry McMaster has the power to appoint a temporary replacement to serve out the rest of Graham’s current term.

The decision could carry major political weight, giving the appointee a head start in the race to hold the seat long term.

State law also sets up a fast-moving special election process. A filing period is expected to begin July 21, followed by a Republican primary Aug. 11 and a possible runoff Aug. 25 if no candidate wins a majority.

The winner would face Democrat Annie Andrews in November.

Republicans are already weighing how to avoid a damaging intra-party fight in a reliably red state. Former Kevin McCarthy communications director Mark Bednar said Trump and McMaster will need to coordinate closely on both the interim appointment and the special-election candidate, warning that a fractured GOP field could complicate what should otherwise be a favorable race.

Potential Republican names include Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette and Rep. Russell Fry, R-S.C., though McMaster has not announced whom he will appoint. Whoever gets the nod will be stepping into one of the most closely watched Senate vacancies of the year — and into the seat of one of Trump’s most dependable allies in Congress.

President Donald Trump said late Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., called him Saturday night shortly before the South Carolina Republican’s sudden death, describing the senator as tired from travel but otherwise in good spirits.

“He was full of vim and vigor,” Trump said in a Sunday phone interview. “He was tired. He said, I’m tired because it’s a long trip, but other than that, he was fine.”

Graham, 71, had recently returned from a trip to Ukraine and was scheduled to appear on Sunday morning TV to talk about the Russian and Iran wars.

Instead, his office announced that he died Saturday evening after what it described as a “brief and sudden” illness.

Trump reflected on Graham’s Senate career, calling the senator’s 2018 defense of Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh his “finest moment” and saying Graham’s remarks helped turn the confirmation fight around.

Fox News' CJ Womack contributed to this report.

Emergency 911 dispatch audio reviewed by Fox News Digital offers a clearer timeline of the response to Sen. Lindsey Graham’s Washington, D.C., home before his death was publicly announced early Sunday morning by a President Donald Trump Truth Social post.

The radio traffic shows first responders were dispatched shortly after 8 p.m. ET on Saturday for a reported cardiac arrest.

About 20 to 25 minutes after the initial dispatch, radio traffic indicated CPR was underway inside the home. The audio did not identify Graham by name or describe the patient’s condition.

Additional radio traffic later indicated the scene would be handled as a “Capitol Police matter only.” The final relevant radio communication came shortly after 9:30 p.m.

Graham’s office announced Sunday that the 71-year-old senator had died Saturday evening after a “brief and sudden” illness.

Preliminary findings from the D.C. medical examiner later cited an aortic dissection due to arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease, though officials said the death certificate will remain pending until additional testing is complete.

Fox News' Brittany Miller and Adam Sabes contributed to this report.

Preliminary findings from the District of Columbia Office of the Chief Medical Examiner identified Sen. Lindsey Graham’s cause of death as an aortic dissection due to arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease, according to a statement from his office.

An aortic dissection is a rare but life-threatening emergency that occurs when a tear develops in the inner layer of the aorta, the body’s largest artery. Blood can rush through the tear, forcing the layers of the artery wall apart and potentially cutting off blood flow to vital organs or causing a fatal rupture.

Doctors say aortic dissections can develop suddenly and may resemble a heart attack or stroke.

Warning signs can include sudden severe chest or upper back pain, shortness of breath, fainting, severe abdominal pain, weakness or numbness on one side of the body, or difficulty speaking.

Medical experts stress that the condition requires immediate emergency care. Treatment depends on the location of the tear, but may include emergency surgery, medication to reduce blood pressure and heart strain, or other procedures to repair the damaged artery.

While not every aortic dissection can be prevented, doctors say controlling high blood pressure, managing cholesterol, avoiding smoking and treating underlying heart or vascular conditions can help reduce risk.

Fox News' Senior Health Editor Melissa Rudy contributed to this report.

Late Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., died from an aortic dissection, according to preliminary findings from the Washington, D.C., medical examiner Sunday.

An aortic dissection occurs when there is a tear in the aorta, the body’s main artery carrying blood from the heart.

Graham’s office said the medical examiner found the condition was due to arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease, commonly described as hardening of the arteries. It has raised Americans' awareness of heart disease and general health.

The finding offers the first medical explanation for Graham’s sudden death, though it was described as preliminary and toxicology reports remain pending.

The natural cause of death finding dispelled speculation of a potential assassination attempt by either Russia or Iran amid the ongoing wars.

Reuters contributed to this report.