Rep. Thomas Massie made a tragic announcement in a thread on X on Friday, saying his wife, Rhonda Massie, had passed away.
“Yesterday my high school sweetheart, the love of my life for over 35 years, the loving mother of our 4 children, the smartest and kindest woman I have ever known, my beautiful and wise forever queen, Rhonda, passed away to heaven. Thank you for your prayers for our family during this difficult time,” he wrote.
Yesterday my high school sweetheart, the love of my life for over 35 years, the loving mother of our 4 children, the smartest and kindest woman I have ever known, my beautiful and wise forever queen, Rhonda, passed away to heaven. Thank you for your prayers for our family during this hard time. pic.twitter.com/tTSWXeLCG0
— Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) 28 June 2024
The couple had visited Mount Rainier with their grandson last week. The cause of death is not yet known.
Several prominent figures expressed their condolences on the platform. Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) called the announcement “heartbreaking” and said Rhonda was “an amazing woman.”
This is truly heartbreaking.
I didn’t know Rhonda well, but I know her husband, and from that alone and what you told me about her, I know she was an amazing woman.
Sharon and I mourn with you today and will keep you in our prayers.
— Mike Lee (@BasedMikeLee) 28 June 2024
Former Libertarian Party vice presidential candidate Spike Cohen also expressed his condolences.
Thomas, I am so sorry for your loss. Tasha and I are praying that you find peace during this time of grief.
May Rhonda’s memory be a great blessing to you and all whose lives she touched.
I’m sorry, man.
— Spike Cohen (@RealSpikeCohen) 28 June 2024
The Kentucky Republican Party said in a statement that it was “shocked and deeply saddened” by Rhonda’s death and called her “a wonderful mother, wife and Kentuckian.”
— Republican Party of Kentucky (@KYGOP) 28 June 2024
Chris Wiest, a lawyer and one of Massie’s friends, told the Lexington Herald-Leader that Rhonda was “one of the kindest, warmest people you could ever meet.”
The couple founded SensAble Devices in 1993, a company that allows people to feel digital objects on a screen.
Representative Massie has been in Congress since 2012 and is known for his staunchly conservative and libertarian stance on legislation. He is known as “Mr. No” because he likes to vote against bills that expand government. The House of Representatives observed a moment of silence for Rhonda Massie on Friday.
