Alma Johnson Powell, the wife of the late Secretary of State Colin Powell, passed away on Sunday at the age of 86. Peggy Cifrino, who was Colin Powell’s chief of staff and family spokesperson, confirmed her death on Monday.
In a statement to CNN, the couple’s three children—Michael, Linda, and Annemarie—shared their sadness and admiration for their mother. They said she was a steady presence in their lives, providing a sense of security wherever the family moved. They described her as a role model who served the country with dignity and grace, and they take comfort in knowing she lived a fulfilling life and is now reunited with their father.
Alma Powell was born in Birmingham, Alabama, and went to Parker High School and Fisk University in Nashville. She and Colin Powell were married for nearly 60 years. Colin Powell passed away on October 18, 2021, due to complications from COVID-19.
The couple met on a blind date in 1961 in Boston, married in 1963, and soon after, Colin was sent to Vietnam. Throughout their marriage, they lived in 20 different homes and raised their children in various states and even Germany.
Alma Powell was involved in several organizations. She was the chair emeritus of America’s Promise Alliance, which supports at-risk youths, and served on the board of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, among other roles.