Former Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, who broke new ground as the first woman to serve on the Supreme Court, died Friday, the Supreme Court said. She was 93 years old.
O’Connor died of complications related to advanced dementia, likely Alzheimer’s disease, and a respiratory illness, the court said in a statement. She retired from public life in 2018 after being diagnosed with dementia.
O’Connor was appointed to the Supreme Court by former President Ronald Reagan in 1981, making history as the first female justice. During her 24-year tenure on the Supreme Court, she was often the center of attention and was a crucial decisive voice on divisive cases, including those on abortion and affirmative action.
This is a developing story and will be updated. This story was originally published by CBS News on December 1, 2023.
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