Table of Biography
Colin Powell is a late American politician, statesman, diplomat, and United States Army officer. Colin Powell was the 65th United States Secretary of State from 2001 to 2005.
Early Life
Colin Powell was born on the 5th of April 1937, in Harlem, New York City, the United States of America. His birth name is Colin Luther Powell and is American by nationality.
At the time of his death, he was 84 years old and had a birth sign of Gemini. He belongs to the Jamaican-American ethnicity and has his belief in Christianity religion.
Caption: Colin Powell’s childhood photo (Source: Iforcolor.org)
Additionally, he was born to his parents, Luther Theophilus Powell (father) and Maud Ariel (mother). His father worked as a shipping clerk meanwhile his mother was a seamstress. Moreover, his parent were Jamaican immigrants. He was raised in the South Bronx and he was the only child of his parents.
Education and Early Life
In terms of his academics, he attended Morris High School, from which he graduated in 1954. Powell remained an average student throughout high school and never considered himself to be a minority, despite his parents’ advice to “strive for a good education” to live his life. While still in school, he worked at a nearby store that sold baby furniture. Later, he assisted Orthodox families as a Shabbos goy.
He continued his education after high school and graduated from City College of New York in 1958 with a Bachelor of Science in geology. Later, in 1971, he received an MBA from George Washington University, and in 1990, he got an honorary doctorate in public service.
Colin Powell – Death
On the 18th of October 2021, Powell died at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland, following the complications of COVID-19. He passed away when he was 84 years old. Moreover, he had even received vaccinations while receiving treatment for blood cancer, but his myeloma compromised his immune system.
Professional Career
Initially, Colin Powell began his career as a military soldier when he joined the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) as a university student. After that, he was appointed a second lieutenant in the Army. He was given a platoon leader position with the 48th Infantry in West Germany after completing basic training.
Additionally, he served a year-long tour as a South Vietnamese Army (ARVN) advisor during the Vietnam War. He served a White House Fellowship under President Richard Nixon from 1972 to 1973 after leaving Vietnam. Moreover, he served at Fort Carson in the 1980s, and then he worked as Caspar Weinberger’s senior military assistant.
From 1987 to 1989, he was the 16th national security adviser for the United States. In 1989, he oversaw the US Army Forces Command. From 1989 to 1993, he also held the position of Joint Chiefs of Staff’s 12th chairman. He served in the military for 35 years, the last 12 months of which were spent as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the highest military position, from October 1989 to September 1993.
Serving as 65th Secretary of State for the United States and post
Caption: Colin Powell serving as the 65th United States Secretary of State (Source: NBC News)
He established America’s Promise in 1997 to assist children from all socioeconomic backgrounds. In 2001, he was given the position of 65th Secretary of State for the United States during the Bush administration. He became the first African-American secretary of state after accepting the position. After Bush’s reelection in 2004, he was compelled to resign. In 2006, he spoke at several motivational events called “Get Motivated.”
In 2007, he became a member of the board of directors for Steve Case’s new business, Revolution Health. Additionally, he was a director on the board of the Council on Foreign Relations. In 2008, he spoke on behalf of National Mentoring Month. In 1995, his autobiography “My American Journey” was published. Later, in 2012, “It Worked for Me, Lessons in Life and Leadership” was also published.
He pursued a career as a public speaker, giving speeches to audiences both domestically and abroad. He served as chairman of America’s Promise before being appointed secretary of state. Powell, who was not a candidate, received three electoral votes from Washington for the presidency of the United States in the 2016 presidential election.
Colin Powell – Awards
Caption: Colin Powell wins an award (Source: MLive.com)
Throughout his career, Powell won numerous U.S. and foreign military awards and decorations. Among his civilian honors were the Secretary’s Distinguished Service Award, the Presidential Citizens Medal, the Presidential Medal of Freedom (twice), the Congressional Gold Medal, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Net Worth 2024
In his professional life as a politician, diplomat, statesman, and former military servicemember, Powell earned quite sizable sums of money. He was thought to have a net worth of about $60 million at the time of his death.
Relationship Status
Caption: Colin Powell family photo (Source: New York Post)
On the 25th of August 1962, Colin Powell married Alma Johnson, and were together until his death. His wife is an American audiologist who serves as the chair of America’s Promise, and even has authored two children’s books, “America’s Promise” and “My Little Red Wagon.”
With the marriage, the couple has been blessed with three children; a son and two daughters. His daughters, Annemarie Powell, and Linda Powell, are both actresses, and his son, Michael Powell, is an American who served as the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Republican chairman from 2001 to 2005.
Body Measurements
Caption: Colin Powell posing for a photo (Source: David Byrne)
Powell stands 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighs around 70 kg. Moreover, he had bald hair and a pair of brown eyes color.
Social Media
This American politician is no longer alive in this world and is not present on social media such as Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.