Colin Powell's Life in Photos

01of 09Colin Powell.Bachrach/Getty ImagesBorn in Harlemin 1937 to Jamaican immigrants, Colin Powell said he found his calling while attending City College of New York, when he joined the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) and became commander of his unit’s drill team.He graduated at the top of his class in 1958, having earned the rank of cadet colonel and being commissioned a second lieutenant in the United States Army.02of 09Department of Defense/Mark Reinstein/Corbis via GettyDuring his first tour of Vietnam in 1963, Powell was awarded both the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star.He was injured in a helicopter crash during his second tour of Vietnam, ultimately rescuing his fellow service members from the burning helicopter and earning the Soldier’s Medal as a result.03of 09Colin Powell Giving Speech at White House.GettyIn the 1970s, Powell was awarded a White House Fellowship and assigned to the Office of Management and Budget during the administration of President Richard Nixon. He followed his fellowship with with service as a battalion commander in South Korea and, later, with a job at the Pentagon. He then served in roles at the Defense Department under Presidents Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan (pictured).04of 09General Powell Presented With Presidential Medal Of Freedom.Howard L. Sachs/CNP/GettyPowell became a national figure in 1989, when he was promoted to a four-star general and became the 12th chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff under George H.W. Bush — the first Black person named to the position — and put in charge of the 1990 Gulf War.He continued his role as chairman into the administration of President Bill Clinton, resigning from the position in September 1993. He received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from both men.05of 09Brooks Kraft/CORBIS/Corbis via GettyPowell became the 65th Secretary of State in January 2001, serving in that role underGeorge W. Bushuntil January 2005. He was the first Black person to hold the position.Powell’s tenure at State would grow to become controversial, particularly due to his role in the Iraq War and the U.S. effort to oust Saddam Hussein.Speaking to theUnited Nations in a 2003 speech, Powell laid out the Bush administration’s rationale for the invasion of Iraq, saying there was “no doubt” that Hussein had hidden chemical and biological weapons in Iraq. Intelligence would later confirm that such a weapons program was nonexistent.Speaking toFrontlinein 2006, Powell later called that speech “a great intelligence failure.“06of 09Kevin Winter/GettyIn his later years, Powell retreated into a more private life, serving on a handful of boards and making speeches around the U.S. in addition to casually advising PresidentBarack Obama. At right, he accepts the President’s Award at the 42nd NAACP Image Awards in 2011 in L.A.07of 09Cheriss May/NurPhoto via GettyAccording to theMilitary Times, Powell received more than one-dozen military decorations in all, including the Legion of Merit.In 1993, he also received honorary knighthood fromQueen Elizabethfor his role in U.S.-British relations. Per theIndependent,he was deemedHonorary Knight Commander in the Military Division of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath.08of 09General Colin Powell and His Mother Attend a Ceremony in Honor of His Retirement.Jeffrey Markowitz/Sygma via GettyPowell married his wife, Alma Powell, in August 1962. The two have three children: Michael, Linda and Annemarie, and multiple grandchildren.09of 09Brooks Kraft LLC/Corbis via Getty ImagesOn Oct. 18, 2021,news brokethat Powell died of COVID-related complications. He was 84 years old.Multiple outlets including CNN andThe New York Timesreported that Powell had privately beenbattling multiple myeloma, a form of blood cancer.“General Colin L. Powell, former U.S. Secretary of State and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, passed away this morning due to complications from Covid 19,” a statement on the Powell family wrote in a statement on his Facebook page, noting that “he was fully vaccinated.“Continued the statement, “We want to thank the medical staff at Walter Reed National Medical Center for their caring treatment. We have lost a remarkable and loving husband, father, grandfather and a great American.“Upon his death, George W. Bush remembered Powell as a “great public servant,“saying in a statement, “He was such a favorite of Presidents that he earned the Presidential Medal of Freedom — twice. He was highly respected at home and abroad. And most important, Colin was a family man and a friend. Laura and I send Alma and their children our sincere condolences as they remember the life of a great man.”

01of 09Colin Powell.Bachrach/Getty ImagesBorn in Harlemin 1937 to Jamaican immigrants, Colin Powell said he found his calling while attending City College of New York, when he joined the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) and became commander of his unit’s drill team.He graduated at the top of his class in 1958, having earned the rank of cadet colonel and being commissioned a second lieutenant in the United States Army.

01of 09

Colin Powell.Bachrach/Getty Images

Born in Harlemin 1937 to Jamaican immigrants, Colin Powell said he found his calling while attending City College of New York, when he joined the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) and became commander of his unit’s drill team.

He graduated at the top of his class in 1958, having earned the rank of cadet colonel and being commissioned a second lieutenant in the United States Army.

02of 09Department of Defense/Mark Reinstein/Corbis via GettyDuring his first tour of Vietnam in 1963, Powell was awarded both the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star.He was injured in a helicopter crash during his second tour of Vietnam, ultimately rescuing his fellow service members from the burning helicopter and earning the Soldier’s Medal as a result.

02of 09

Department of Defense/Mark Reinstein/Corbis via Getty

During his first tour of Vietnam in 1963, Powell was awarded both the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star.

He was injured in a helicopter crash during his second tour of Vietnam, ultimately rescuing his fellow service members from the burning helicopter and earning the Soldier’s Medal as a result.

03of 09Colin Powell Giving Speech at White House.GettyIn the 1970s, Powell was awarded a White House Fellowship and assigned to the Office of Management and Budget during the administration of President Richard Nixon. He followed his fellowship with with service as a battalion commander in South Korea and, later, with a job at the Pentagon. He then served in roles at the Defense Department under Presidents Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan (pictured).

03of 09

Colin Powell Giving Speech at White House.Getty

In the 1970s, Powell was awarded a White House Fellowship and assigned to the Office of Management and Budget during the administration of President Richard Nixon. He followed his fellowship with with service as a battalion commander in South Korea and, later, with a job at the Pentagon. He then served in roles at the Defense Department under Presidents Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan (pictured).

04of 09General Powell Presented With Presidential Medal Of Freedom.Howard L. Sachs/CNP/GettyPowell became a national figure in 1989, when he was promoted to a four-star general and became the 12th chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff under George H.W. Bush — the first Black person named to the position — and put in charge of the 1990 Gulf War.He continued his role as chairman into the administration of President Bill Clinton, resigning from the position in September 1993. He received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from both men.

04of 09

General Powell Presented With Presidential Medal Of Freedom.Howard L. Sachs/CNP/Getty

Powell became a national figure in 1989, when he was promoted to a four-star general and became the 12th chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff under George H.W. Bush — the first Black person named to the position — and put in charge of the 1990 Gulf War.

He continued his role as chairman into the administration of President Bill Clinton, resigning from the position in September 1993. He received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from both men.

05of 09Brooks Kraft/CORBIS/Corbis via GettyPowell became the 65th Secretary of State in January 2001, serving in that role underGeorge W. Bushuntil January 2005. He was the first Black person to hold the position.Powell’s tenure at State would grow to become controversial, particularly due to his role in the Iraq War and the U.S. effort to oust Saddam Hussein.Speaking to theUnited Nations in a 2003 speech, Powell laid out the Bush administration’s rationale for the invasion of Iraq, saying there was “no doubt” that Hussein had hidden chemical and biological weapons in Iraq. Intelligence would later confirm that such a weapons program was nonexistent.Speaking toFrontlinein 2006, Powell later called that speech “a great intelligence failure.”

05of 09

Brooks Kraft/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty

Powell became the 65th Secretary of State in January 2001, serving in that role underGeorge W. Bushuntil January 2005. He was the first Black person to hold the position.

Powell’s tenure at State would grow to become controversial, particularly due to his role in the Iraq War and the U.S. effort to oust Saddam Hussein.

Speaking to theUnited Nations in a 2003 speech, Powell laid out the Bush administration’s rationale for the invasion of Iraq, saying there was “no doubt” that Hussein had hidden chemical and biological weapons in Iraq. Intelligence would later confirm that such a weapons program was nonexistent.

Speaking toFrontlinein 2006, Powell later called that speech “a great intelligence failure.”

06of 09Kevin Winter/GettyIn his later years, Powell retreated into a more private life, serving on a handful of boards and making speeches around the U.S. in addition to casually advising PresidentBarack Obama. At right, he accepts the President’s Award at the 42nd NAACP Image Awards in 2011 in L.A.

06of 09

Kevin Winter/Getty

In his later years, Powell retreated into a more private life, serving on a handful of boards and making speeches around the U.S. in addition to casually advising PresidentBarack Obama. At right, he accepts the President’s Award at the 42nd NAACP Image Awards in 2011 in L.A.

07of 09Cheriss May/NurPhoto via GettyAccording to theMilitary Times, Powell received more than one-dozen military decorations in all, including the Legion of Merit.In 1993, he also received honorary knighthood fromQueen Elizabethfor his role in U.S.-British relations. Per theIndependent,he was deemedHonorary Knight Commander in the Military Division of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath.

07of 09

Cheriss May/NurPhoto via Getty

According to theMilitary Times, Powell received more than one-dozen military decorations in all, including the Legion of Merit.

In 1993, he also received honorary knighthood fromQueen Elizabethfor his role in U.S.-British relations. Per theIndependent,he was deemedHonorary Knight Commander in the Military Division of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath.

08of 09General Colin Powell and His Mother Attend a Ceremony in Honor of His Retirement.Jeffrey Markowitz/Sygma via GettyPowell married his wife, Alma Powell, in August 1962. The two have three children: Michael, Linda and Annemarie, and multiple grandchildren.

08of 09

General Colin Powell and His Mother Attend a Ceremony in Honor of His Retirement.Jeffrey Markowitz/Sygma via Getty

Powell married his wife, Alma Powell, in August 1962. The two have three children: Michael, Linda and Annemarie, and multiple grandchildren.

09of 09Brooks Kraft LLC/Corbis via Getty ImagesOn Oct. 18, 2021,news brokethat Powell died of COVID-related complications. He was 84 years old.Multiple outlets including CNN andThe New York Timesreported that Powell had privately beenbattling multiple myeloma, a form of blood cancer.“General Colin L. Powell, former U.S. Secretary of State and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, passed away this morning due to complications from Covid 19,” a statement on the Powell family wrote in a statement on his Facebook page, noting that “he was fully vaccinated.“Continued the statement, “We want to thank the medical staff at Walter Reed National Medical Center for their caring treatment. We have lost a remarkable and loving husband, father, grandfather and a great American.“Upon his death, George W. Bush remembered Powell as a “great public servant,“saying in a statement, “He was such a favorite of Presidents that he earned the Presidential Medal of Freedom — twice. He was highly respected at home and abroad. And most important, Colin was a family man and a friend. Laura and I send Alma and their children our sincere condolences as they remember the life of a great man.”

09of 09

Brooks Kraft LLC/Corbis via Getty Images

On Oct. 18, 2021,news brokethat Powell died of COVID-related complications. He was 84 years old.

Multiple outlets including CNN andThe New York Timesreported that Powell had privately beenbattling multiple myeloma, a form of blood cancer.

“General Colin L. Powell, former U.S. Secretary of State and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, passed away this morning due to complications from Covid 19,” a statement on the Powell family wrote in a statement on his Facebook page, noting that “he was fully vaccinated.”

Continued the statement, “We want to thank the medical staff at Walter Reed National Medical Center for their caring treatment. We have lost a remarkable and loving husband, father, grandfather and a great American.”

Upon his death, George W. Bush remembered Powell as a “great public servant,“saying in a statement, “He was such a favorite of Presidents that he earned the Presidential Medal of Freedom — twice. He was highly respected at home and abroad. And most important, Colin was a family man and a friend. Laura and I send Alma and their children our sincere condolences as they remember the life of a great man.”

source: people.com