FRANKFORT, Ky. — Rhonda Massie, the wife of U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie, has died, the Kentucky congressman announced Friday in a moving social media tribute to his high school sweetheart and the “love of my life.”
No details about the cause of death or her age were immediately provided by Massie or his staff.
“Yesterday my high school sweetheart, the love of my life for over 35 years, the loving mother of our 4 children, the smartest kindest woman I ever knew, my beautiful and wise queen forever, Rhonda went to Heaven,” Massie wrote on the social platform X.
His social media posts featured photos showing the couple and their family. The congressman said the couple spent time with their grandson last week while touring Mount Rainier in Washington.
Massie wrote about his wife’s academic achievements and devotion to her family.
“She was valedictorian at our high school where we went to the Prom together, accepted at MIT and Harvard, earned a Mechanical Engineering degree from MIT, and devoted her life to our family,” he wrote.
The MIT-educated Massie, a libertarian-leaning Republican first elected to Congress in 2012, easily defeated two GOP challengers in Kentucky’s May primary. With no Democratic opponent in the fall, Massie’s primary victory cleared his way to claim another term in November. His district stretches across northern Kentucky.
His wife’s death brought an outpouring of condolences from Kentucky and beyond.
U.S. Rep. Andy Barr, R-Ky., said in a social media post that he was “deeply saddened” to hear of Rhonda Massie’s death. Barr suffered a similar tragedy four years ago when his wife, Eleanor Carol Leavell Barr, died. She was 39.
“Rhonda’s warmth, kindness, and dedication to her family and community touched everyone who had the privilege of knowing her,” Barr wrote Friday.
Kentucky state Sen. John Schickel said his “heart breaks” for the congressman and the couple’s children.
“Rhonda was a fantastic human being, and her loving marriage with Congressman Massie was among the most beautiful you could imagine,” Schickel said. “They were high school sweethearts and college classmates. It was a true love story.”
The Republican Party of Kentucky said in a statement that Rhonda Massie was “an amazing mother, wife, and Kentuckian. She touched all who knew her and will be deeply missed.”
On January 9th, 2022, Kentucky Congressman Thomas Massie announced the heartbreaking news of the passing of his wife, Rhonda Massie. The couple had been married for over 20 years and shared four children together.
Rhonda Massie was a beloved member of the community and was known for her kindness, generosity, and dedication to her family. She was a supportive partner to Congressman Massie throughout his political career and was actively involved in various charitable endeavors in Kentucky.
In a statement released by Congressman Massie, he expressed his deep sorrow at the loss of his wife and thanked the community for their outpouring of support during this difficult time. He described Rhonda as a loving wife, mother, and friend who will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
The passing of Rhonda Massie has sent shockwaves through the community, with many expressing their condolences and sharing fond memories of her. Friends and colleagues have described her as a pillar of strength and a source of inspiration to those around her.
As the community mourns the loss of Rhonda Massie, Congressman Massie has asked for privacy as he and his family grieve. Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced, but it is clear that Rhonda’s memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew her.
In times of tragedy, it is important for communities to come together to support one another. The passing of Rhonda Massie serves as a reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of cherishing our loved ones while we have them.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Congressman Massie and his family during this difficult time. May they find comfort in the memories of Rhonda and the love and support of those around them.
