Nancy Kassebaum: key obituary facts
Is Nancy Kassebaum dead? Yes. Nancy Kassebaum died on August 21, 2026, at age 94.
Cause of death: Nancy Kassebaum's cause of death has not been publicly confirmed.
What was Nancy Kassebaum known for?
She was an American politician.
More about Nancy Kassebaum
Born: 29 July 1932.
Place of birth: Topeka.
Gender: female.
Occupation: politician, executive.
Nationality: United States.
Education: University of Kansas, University of Michigan, primary school, Topeka High School.
Employer: Iowa State University.
Awards: American Library Association Honorary Membership.
Father: Alf Landon.
Spouse: John Philip Kassebaum, Howard Baker.
Children: Richard Kassebaum.
Also known as: Nancy Kassebaum Baker, Nancy Landon Kassebaum Baker, Nancy Landon Kassebaum, Nancy Josephine Kassebaum Baker.
Nancy Kassebaum, the American politician who served in the U.S.
Senate from 1978 to 1997, died on August 21, 2026, aged 94. A Kansas Republican, she was born Nancy Josephine Landon in Topeka on July 29, 1932, and was the daughter of Alf Landon, the former Kansas governor and 1936 Republican presidential nominee.
Her election to the Senate made her the first woman to represent Kansas and the first woman elected to a full Senate term without a husband who had previously served in Congress. During three terms, she became known for her independence and for helping build bipartisan alliances on foreign and domestic policy. She was also the widow of former Senate Majority Leader and diplomat Howard Baker.