BREAKING: Mitch McConnell’s Family Announces Tragic News

The family of House Minority Leader Mitch McConnell gave a tragic personal update Wednesday, announcing that the sister of wife Elaine Chao died in a recent car crash.

Chao, who served as the first Asian-American Secretary of Transportation under former President Donald Trump, issued a statement with her family remembering her sister Angela Chao as a “brilliant woman, a charismatic and visionary leader.”

“It is with a heavy heart and deep sadness that I announce the passing of my beloved youngest daughter, Angela Chao,” father James S.C. Chao said in a statement to the Daily Mail.

“Angela is a brilliant woman, a charismatic and visionary leader and much-loved by all her sisters, our entire family and friends. As a daughter, sister, mother, aunt, wife and friend, she was unfailingly filial, thoughtful, kind and devoted.”

“These qualities were complemented by a spirited personality, exceptional intelligence, compassion for all and a wonderful sense of humor. She kept us laughing and smiling.”

“Losing her at such a young age is something we never even imagined, and our entire family is devastated with grief.”

The family added, “As a trail blazer for women in the executive suite, she inspired others to pursue their dreams. She also loved music and tried the French horn as her instrument when young, insisting on carrying it herself to every lesson.

“These early experiences created a lifelong, passionate commitment to the fine arts … Angela’s name in Chinese sounds like the characters for peace and prosperity. She certainly gave more than her share of both to this world. Her absence leaves a void not only in our hearts, but in the Asian-American community.”

Angela Chao cut her own path to the American Dream, rising from one of six children to serve as CEO of shipping company Foremost Group in 2018. She was a founding member of the Asian American Foundation (AAF) which emphasized access to quality education within underserved Asian American communities. She also held positions with the American Bureau of Shipping Council, Harvard Business School’s Board of Dean’s Advisors, and the Metropolitan Opera.

Angela Chao, the CEO of the dry bulk shipping company Foremost Group and the sister of former Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao, has died in a car accident, according to the company and her family. https://t.co/1sRnL8Co2J

— NBC News (@NBCNews) February 14, 2024

“The Asian American Foundation is heartbroken to learn of the devastating death of Angela Chao, a beloved businesswoman, philanthropist and respected leader,” the AAF said in a statement. “Angela has left an indelible mark on The Asian American Foundation and the AAPI community. A brilliant and committed leader, Angela’s warmth, kindness, and infectious energy will live on in our work for decades to come.”

Her father, adding further comments about his daughter, said she followed in the footsteps of her father and older sister.

“[She] was a wonderful and inquisitive companion accompanying me to the office on ‘Take Your Daughter to Work’ days,” he said in a statement to NBC News.

As a child she was fascinated by music, taking up the French horn and “insisting on carrying it to every lesson,” her father said.

“These early experiences created a lifelong, passionate commitment to the fine arts.”

Angela Chao earned her degrees from Harvard College and later Harvard Business School, taking a prestigious position in the mergers and acquisitions department of Smith Barney, which was later acquired by mega-bank Morgan Stanley Wealth Management.

“As a daughter, sister, mother, aunt, wife and friend, she was unfailingly filial, thoughtful, kind and devoted,” the elder Chao said in the family statement. “She kept us laughing and smiling. She believed deeply that the true treasures in life are family, friends and helping others. Losing her at such a young age is something we never even imagined, and our entire family is devastated with grief.”