William Richardson, Ex-Governor and UN Envoy Dedicated to Freeing Detained Americans, Passes Away

William Richardson, who served two terms as the Democratic governor of New Mexico and acted as the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, passed away at the age of 75. His lifelong dedication to public service also included substantial efforts to secure the release of Americans detained in foreign countries.

Richardson’s death was confirmed by The Richardson Center for Global Engagement, an organization he founded and led. A statement released on Saturday indicated that he passed away peacefully in his sleep at his residence in Chatham, Massachusetts.

Mickey Bergman, the Vice President of the center, stated, “Throughout his life, Richardson was committed to serving others. This includes his tenures in governmental roles as well as his later work in liberating people who were either wrongfully detained or held hostage internationally. Governor Richardson was always willing to engage in dialogue if it presented an opportunity to bring someone back to freedom. His passing signifies a great loss to those advocating for the unjustly detained, as well as a personal loss for me as a mentor and close friend.”

Prior to his gubernatorial tenure beginning in 2002, Richardson had served as a U.S. representative for northern New Mexico for 14 years, and later as the U.S. Secretary of Energy under President Bill Clinton. His ambassadorial role at the United Nations was also part of his service under the Clinton administration.

Beyond his official capacities, Richardson was also a de facto diplomatic problem-solver on the global stage. He successfully negotiated the release of detained Americans and servicemen from countries such as North Korea, Iraq, Cuba, and Sudan. He even negotiated with high-profile figures like Saddam Hussein, the former Iraqi dictator. Richardson once referred to himself as “the informal undersecretary for miscreants.”

Richardson was actively involved in the liberation of American journalist Danny Fenster from a Myanmar prison in 2021, as well as Taylor Dudley, who had crossed into Russia from Poland. Additionally, he facilitated the release of Marine veteran Trevor Reed, WNBA star Brittney Griner, and Navy veteran Michael White in various international negotiations.

With an impressive career in both domestic and foreign affairs, Richardson sought the Democratic nomination for the presidency in 2008, aiming to be the first Hispanic president of the United States. However, he withdrew after finishing fourth in both the Iowa caucuses and the New Hampshire primary.

During his time as the governor of New Mexico, Richardson accomplished various legislative feats including the repeal of the death penalty in 2009, a substantial increase in the state minimum wage, and significant investments in infrastructure and education.

U.S. Senator Ben Ray Lujan, a Democrat from New Mexico, referred to Richardson as a “colossal figure in public service and governance.” Lujan added, “Post-government, he was a go-to individual for handling delicate diplomatic situations with remarkable success. In New Mexico, his legacy as our governor will always be remembered.”

Even while serving as governor, Richardson continued his informal diplomatic missions. He engaged in talks with North Korean envoys as early as his first term and secured the release of Pulitzer Prize-winning American journalist Paul Salopek from Sudan.

Richardson’s impact on New Mexico’s political landscape was transformative. He was known for aggressive campaign spending and introducing Washington-style politics to a traditionally laid-back western state. Despite criticism from both Republican and Democratic legislators concerning his confrontational style, Richardson defended his approach as aggressive but not vindictive.

After withdrawing from the 2008 presidential race, Richardson endorsed Barack Obama, despite his long-standing friendship with the Clintons. He was later nominated for the position of Secretary of Commerce under Obama but withdrew amid a federal investigation into alleged corrupt practices during his gubernatorial tenure in New Mexico. The investigation was eventually closed without any charges being filed.

Richardson faced controversies during his term as energy secretary, including a scandal involving missing equipment containing nuclear secrets at the Los Alamos National Laboratory. He also approved the firing of nuclear scientist Wen Ho Lee, who was later released after pleading guilty to one charge of mishandling computer files.

William Richardson was born in Pasadena, California but was raised in Mexico City. His mother was Mexican, and his father was an American banking executive. Richardson attended preparatory school in Massachusetts before earning a master’s degree in international affairs from Tufts University.

He moved to New Mexico in 1978 after a stint as a Capitol Hill staffer, aiming to enter politics in a state with deep Hispanic roots. He won a congressional seat in 1982, which paved the way for his subsequent political career.

This obituary includes substantial biographical contributions from Barry Massey, a former writer for Big Big News.

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More about William Richardson Obituary

• William Richardson’s Official Biography
• The Richardson Center for Global Engagement
• 2008 Democratic Presidential Primaries Overview
• Overview of Richardson’s Legislative Achievements as Governor
• U.S. Department of Energy Historical Profile
• U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations: List of Past Envoys
• Federal Investigation into Richardson’s Administration: Case Closed
• Obituaries of Prominent Public Figures
• Ben Ray Lujan’s Official Statement on Richardson’s Passing
• The Los Alamos National Laboratory Incident: A Case Study