Donald Rumsfeld; Former Secretary of Defense Age, Career, Death

Donald Rumsfeld was an American politician, government official, and businessman who served as Secretary of Defense from 1975 to 1977 under Gerald Ford, and again from 2001 to 2006 under George W. Bush. Under George Bush, his involvement in the Iraq war made him a polarizing political figure. He died at the age of 88.

Donald Rumsfeld Age

Donald was born on 9th July 1932 at the time of his death he was 88 years old.

Donald Rumsfeld Education

According to his bio, attended Princeton University on academic and NROTC scholarships (A.B., 1954).

Donald Rumsfeld Career

Rumsfeld was a former Navy Pilot and congressman who served as the Nation’s 21st Secretary of Defense. He held many positions in the United States Government.

Rumsfeld served in the U.S. Navy (1954-57) as an aviator and flight instructor. In 1957, he transferred to the Ready Reserve and continued his Naval service in flying and administrative assignments as a drilling reservist until 1975. He transferred to the Standby Reserve when he became Secretary of Defense in 1975 and to the Retired Reserve with the rank of Captain in 1989.
In 1957, he came to Washington, DC to serve as Administrative Assistant to a Congressman. After a stint with an investment banking firm, he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from Illinois in 1962, at the age of 30, and was re-elected in 1964, 1966, and 1968.

In his biography, “Donald H. Rumsfeld served as the 21st Secretary of Defense from January 2001 to December 2006. Before assuming this post, the former Navy pilot had also served as the 13th Secretary of Defense, White House Chief of Staff, U.S. Ambassador to NATO, U.S. Congressman, and chief executive officer of two Fortune 500 companies. Secretary Rumsfeld had directed the actions of the Defense Department in response to the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. Thus far, the Global War on Terror has resulted in the liberation of 25 million Afghanis and 27 million Iraqis, with free elections in both of those nations. Two-thirds of known Al Qaeda leaders have been captured or killed.”

Donald Rumsfeld Death

His death was announced by his family via his Twitter account. The post read in part, “It is with deep sadness that we share the news of the passing of Donald Rumsfeld, an American statesman and devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. At 88, he was surrounded by family in his beloved Taos, New Mexico.”

A statement from the family of Donald Rumsfeld: pic.twitter.com/AlKYxVvqgF

— Donald Rumsfeld (@RumsfeldOffice) June 30, 2021

Donald Rumsfeld Death Received Mixed Reaction Online

Rumsfeld’s death received mixed reactions because of the legacy and controversies of the Iraq war.

RIP Donald Rumsfeld, 88, former US Secretary of Defense and one of the most significant & polarising American politicians of the modern age. pic.twitter.com/aTDG5f7dBD

— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) June 30, 2021

Another Twitter Post offered praises to him stating,

He was a great man who was misunderstood by many. He was amazingly charitable, not only via his Foundation but in many private acts of kindness. The gruff exterior masked an exceedingly decent and humane interior. May his memory be a blessing.

— Dov Zakheim (@dzakheim) June 30, 2021