Former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, an unwavering voice of moderate conservatism and the first woman to serve on the nation’s highest court, has passed away at the age of 93.
The court has confirmed her death in Phoenix on Friday, due to complications related to advanced dementia and a respiratory illness.
O’Connor was diagnosed with “the beginning stages of dementia, probably Alzheimer’s disease” in 2018, having lost her husband, John O’Connor, to complications of Alzheimer’s in 2009.
O’Connor was nominated in 1981 by President Ronald Reagan and subsequently confirmed by the Senate, which ended 191 years of male exclusivity on the high court. A native of Arizona who grew up on her family’s sprawling ranch, O’Connor quickly built a formidable reputation, demonstrating considerable political clout on the nine-member court.
The granddaughter of a pioneer who traveled west from Vermont and founded the family ranch three decades before Arizona became a state, O’Connor had a tenacious, independent spirit that came naturally. As a child growing up in the remote outback, she learned early to ride horses, round up cattle and drive trucks and tractors.
As a judge, O’Connor had a significant influence on the court’s rulings on abortion, notably the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade decision that recognized women’s constitutional right to abortion. She led a five-justice majority that reaffirmed the core holding of the 1973 ruling in 1992.
Although she retired in 2006, her legacy continues to be upheld. O’Connor was part of the 5-4 decision that resolved the disputed 2000 presidential election in favor of George W. Bush. When she retired, she was fondly remembered by many of her colleagues, including Justice Clarence Thomas who called her “an outstanding colleague, civil in dissent and gracious when in the majority.”
Throughout her career, O’Connor was regarded as a powerful figure and, until 1993, was the court’s only woman. She was relieved and delighted when President Bill Clinton nominated Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who marked a significant moment in history alongside O’Connor. The current court includes a record four women.
Get the business news that matters most to you with our customizable digest, Fortune Daily. Register to get it delivered free to your inbox.
