Charlie Rangel, a political legend from Harlem and one of the founding members of the Congressional Black Caucus, has died at age 94, his death was confirmed on May 26, 2025, by the City College of New York but the exact cause of death hasn’t been disclosed yet.
Rangel served in the U.S. House of Representatives for 46 years, first elected in 1970 after defeating incumbent Adam Clayton Powell Jr. He was the last surviving member of the so-called “Gang of Four,” a political powerhouse group that included David Dinkins, Percy Sutton, and Basil Paterson.
He was also a decorated war veteran, having earned a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart for his service in the Korean War. After coming home, he earned his law degree and went straight into public service, eventually becoming chairman of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee.
Over his career, Rangel pushed forward major legislation like the Low Income Housing Tax Credit, the Earned Income Tax Credit, and played a lead role in President Obama’s Affordable Care Act. Even after his 2017 retirement, Rangel stayed busy mentoring young leaders and launching workforce development projects through the Charles B. Rangel Infrastructure Initiative.
He was known for his straight talk, charisma, and deep commitment to Harlem. He also stayed close to his roots, living in the same neighborhood he served for decades.
Rangel’s wife, Alma, passed away last October, also at the age of 94. They leave behind two children and several grandchildren. No funeral details have been shared yet.
Reactions to his passing came quickly. Mayor Eric Adams called him “one of our city’s greatest elected leaders.” Senator Chuck Schumer described him as “brilliant, bold, funny and fearless.” And Rep. Hakeem Jeffries called him a “transformational force of nature.”
Charlie Rangel’s career wasn’t just long, it was impactful. His work shaped decades of policy, especially in health care, housing, and civil rights. Harlem, and the country, just lost a giant.
