Former Utah Representative Mia Love Dies – Family Speaks Out

She once stood on the floor of Congress as a history-maker. But on Sunday morning, Mia Love’s family released a deeply personal statement—signaling the loss of a leader who left a lasting mark.

Utah is mourning the loss of one of its prominent political figures. Former Representative Mia Love has died, her family confirmed early Sunday morning.

The announcement was made on March 24 at 5:05 a.m. through a message posted to her official X account. According to the family, Mia passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by loved ones. They described the moment as one filled with gratitude and memories.

“With grateful hearts filled to overflowing for the profound influence of Mia on our lives, we want you to know that she passed away peacefully today,” the statement read. “She was in her home surrounded by family.”

They added that in the midst of celebrating her life, “Mia quietly slipped the bands of mortality and, as her words and vision always did, soared heavenward.” The family thanked the public for their “many good wishes, prayers and condolences,” and said they would share funeral details and plans for a public celebration soon.

Utah Governor Spencer Cox responded to the news shortly after. In a message posted on social media, he expressed deep sorrow over her passing.

He called Mia a visionary leader who had inspired many in the state through her strength and belief in the American dream and said her legacy would have a lasting impact and that she would be deeply missed.

In the weeks leading up to her passing, Mia’s family had begun to prepare the public for what lay ahead. A heartfelt message from her daughter, Abigale, was posted on Mia’s X account, offering a rare glimpse into the private struggle behind the scenes.

Abigale revealed that her mother had been battling glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer. In the post, she explained that the disease was no longer responding to treatment and that the family had shifted their focus from medical care to spending quality time together.

She invited friends, supporters, and colleagues to contribute to a memory archive, asking them to send photos, videos, and personal stories to a dedicated email address.

In her final public post, Mia shared a reflection that now reads as both a personal creed and a call to action. Posted a day before her passing, the message outlined seven principles she had shared with young people across the country—guidelines she believed could help anyone find and raise their voice.

From choosing a purpose to learning from failure, Mia emphasized values that shaped both her public and personal life. “Purpose,” she wrote, “Choose a purpose, a grand aspiration, a big goal, and move towards it relentlessly.”

She spoke of discipline, adversity, time, and the importance of respectful dialogue, urging others to “be a light” even in disagreement. Her final list also stressed the need for balance. “You must be the author of your life,” she said, noting that harmony across mental, spiritual, and physical well-being was essential.

In closing, Mia expressed gratitude for her parents, especially her father and her husband, Jason Love, with whom she “tag-teamed” to raise their children. She left her readers with a message of hope and responsibility:

“I am counting on each of you and all of you to find your voice, raise it, live with character, and lead the next generation,” she concluded. It was a parting message rooted in conviction, and now, a lasting reminder of the values she stood for.

In a past interview, Mia spoke candidly about her battle with brain cancer—a journey that began with what seemed like routine symptoms. She said everything changed in 2022. At first, it was just headaches. “I knew something was wrong but I didn’t think it was a big deal,” she said. “Everybody gets headaches.”

But while on a family vacation in Puerto Rico, the pain intensified. Mia described the sensation as unbearable, saying it felt like her head was “exploding.” Concerned, her husband, Jason, rushed her to the hospital where doctors performed a CT scan.

When she showed the images to Jason, she recalled him quietly pointing to the screen and saying, “There’s a tumor here, honey.” The couple returned to Utah, where surgeons removed 90 percent of the mass. But a biopsy confirmed their fears—the tumor was cancerous.

Following surgery, Mia began intensive chemotherapy and radiation. Despite aggressive treatment, doctors delivered a sobering prognosis. The cancer was advanced, and the outlook remained challenging.

Mia’s political career was marked by a series of historic firsts. In 2014, she became the first Black Republican woman elected to the U.S. Congress, representing Utah’s 4th Congressional District.

Her victory over incumbent Jim Matheson surprised many. Reflecting on the milestone at the time, Mia said, “If anyone would have guessed ten, twenty years ago where the first Black Republican would come from, I think Utah would have been at the bottom of the list.”

She served two terms in Congress from 2015 to 2019. Before that, Mia was active in local government, serving on the Saratoga Springs City Council and later as mayor. Her leadership, both locally and nationally, helped shape political conversations in Utah and brought a new voice to the national stage.

Outside of politics, Mia sought to tell her own story in her own words. She authored “Qualified,” a memoir chronicling her journey from local office to Capitol Hill. The book’s title was inspired by a question she often faced while campaigning: “What qualifies you to run for Congress?”

Mia believed the question reflected a broader challenge for women of color in politics. She pointed to her years of public service as her answer. “I spent several years as a mayor and on the legislative side as a city council member,” she said.

In the memoir, she aimed to empower others to believe in their own worth. She said the message was about lifting people when others were trying to tear them down.