Former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld is seen in 2012 as he was being interviewed for "The Presidents' Gatekeepers," a documentary about the White House chiefs of staff.
Donald Rumsfeld's life in pictures
Former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld is seen in 2012 as he was being interviewed for "The Presidents' Gatekeepers," a documentary about the White House chiefs of staff.
David Hume Kennerly/Getty Images

Updated 8:24 PM EDT, Wed June 30, 2021

Donald Rumsfeld, a former US secretary of defense under two presidents, has died at the age of 88.

"History may remember him for his extraordinary accomplishments over six decades of public service, but for those who knew him best and whose lives were forever changed as a result, we will remember his unwavering love for his wife Joyce, his family and friends, and the integrity he brought to a life dedicated to country," his family said in a statement.

Rumsfeld was the youngest defense secretary in US history when he served under President Gerald Ford in the 1970s. He held the position again in the early 2000s, serving under President George W. Bush.

It was Rumsfeld's second stint that would come to define his legacy in Washington. He oversaw two conflicts: the Iraq War and Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. The conflicts complicated Rumsfeld's standing at home and abroad, and he was ultimately driven out of the position because of his role in the Iraq War, which was widely denounced as a quagmire with no clear strategy.

In 1962, Rumsfeld was elected to the US House of Representatives, serving Illinois' 13th District. During his six-plus years in Congress, Rumsfeld supported the war in Vietnam and the 1964 Civil Rights Act while opposing many of President Lyndon B. Johnson's "Great Society" programs.
In 1962, Rumsfeld was elected to the US House of Representatives, serving Illinois' 13th District. During his six-plus years in Congress, Rumsfeld supported the war in Vietnam and the 1964 Civil Rights Act while opposing many of President Lyndon B. Johnson's "Great Society" programs.
AP
Rumsfeld is kissed by his wife, Joyce, after he was sworn in as director of the Office of Economic Opportunity in 1969. President Richard Nixon is holding their 2-year-old son, Nicholas.
Rumsfeld is kissed by his wife, Joyce, after he was sworn in as director of the Office of Economic Opportunity in 1969. President Richard Nixon is holding their 2-year-old son, Nicholas.
Bettmann Archive/Getty Images
Rumsfeld pumps his fist while working in the White House Oval Office in 1974. Rumsfeld was White House chief of staff before becoming President Gerald Ford's secretary of defense in 1975.
Rumsfeld pumps his fist while working in the White House Oval Office in 1974. Rumsfeld was White House chief of staff before becoming President Gerald Ford's secretary of defense in 1975.
David Hume Kennerly/Getty Images
Rumsfeld, center, plays tennis at the White House with President Ford, right, and chief White House photographer David Hume Kennerly in 1975.
Rumsfeld, center, plays tennis at the White House with President Ford, right, and chief White House photographer David Hume Kennerly in 1975.
Everett/Shutterstock
Rumsfeld speaks with Ford in the Oval Office circa 1975.
Rumsfeld speaks with Ford in the Oval Office circa 1975.
David Hume Kennerly/Getty Images
Ford and Rumsfeld review a line of troops on the Pentagon lawn in 1975. Rumsfeld, at 43 years old, was the youngest defense secretary in US history when he took the position.
Ford and Rumsfeld review a line of troops on the Pentagon lawn in 1975. Rumsfeld, at 43 years old, was the youngest defense secretary in US history when he took the position.
Gene Forte/Consolidated News Pictures/Getty Images
Rumsfeld receives the Presidential Medal of Freedom from Ford in January 1976. Joining them, from left, are Rumsfeld's children, Valerie, Marcy, and Nick; his wife, Joyce; and first lady Betty Ford.
Rumsfeld receives the Presidential Medal of Freedom from Ford in January 1976. Joining them, from left, are Rumsfeld's children, Valerie, Marcy, and Nick; his wife, Joyce; and first lady Betty Ford.
David Hume Kennerly/Getty Images
Rumsfeld, speaking at a California Air Force base in April 1976, describes the B-1 bomber he had just personally flew. Before entering politics, Rumsfeld served in the US Navy as a naval aviator and flight instructor.
Rumsfeld, speaking at a California Air Force base in April 1976, describes the B-1 bomber he had just personally flew. Before entering politics, Rumsfeld served in the US Navy as a naval aviator and flight instructor.
Bettmann Archive/Getty Images
Rumsfeld smoke a pipe while sitting in Ford's suite during the Republican National Convention in 1980.
Rumsfeld smoke a pipe while sitting in Ford's suite during the Republican National Convention in 1980.
David Hume Kennerly/Getty Images
Rumsfeld, standing at center in the light-gray suit, poses with President Ronald Reagan, the President's Commission on Strategic Forces and the special counselors to the commission in 1983.
Rumsfeld, standing at center in the light-gray suit, poses with President Ronald Reagan, the President's Commission on Strategic Forces and the special counselors to the commission in 1983.
Shutterstock
President George W. Bush is flanked by Rumsfeld and Secretary of State Colin Powell shortly after taking office in January 2001. Rumsfeld was beginning his second stint as secretary of defense. He and Powell <a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2003/ALLPOLITICS/04/07/timep.reconstruction.tm/index.html" target="_blank">were often at odds on US foreign policy.</a>
President George W. Bush is flanked by Rumsfeld and Secretary of State Colin Powell shortly after taking office in January 2001. Rumsfeld was beginning his second stint as secretary of defense. He and Powell were often at odds on US foreign policy.
Shawn Thew/AFP/Getty Images
Rumsfeld, left, joins Bush as they visit the Pentagon following the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.
Rumsfeld, left, joins Bush as they visit the Pentagon following the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.
Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP
Rumsfeld talks to staff members aboard a plane en route to Saudi Arabia in October 2001.
Rumsfeld talks to staff members aboard a plane en route to Saudi Arabia in October 2001.
David Hume Kennerly/Getty Images
Rumsfeld sits with Saudi Arabian leaders during a visit to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in October 2001.
Rumsfeld sits with Saudi Arabian leaders during a visit to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in October 2001.
David Hume Kennerly/Getty Images
Rumsfeld tours the detention facility Camp X-Ray while visiting Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, in 2002. Rumsfeld said that the Taliban and al Qaeda prisoners being held at the base would not be given prisoner-of-war status.
Rumsfeld tours the detention facility Camp X-Ray while visiting Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, in 2002. Rumsfeld said that the Taliban and al Qaeda prisoners being held at the base would not be given prisoner-of-war status.
Joshua S. Higgins/USMC/Getty Images
Rumsfeld briefs reporters at the Pentagon in April 2003. The Iraq War began a month earlier.
Rumsfeld briefs reporters at the Pentagon in April 2003. The Iraq War began a month earlier.
Doug Mills/The New York Times/Redux Pictures
Rumsfeld puts on a bulletproof jacket while visiting Baghdad, Iraq, in April 2003.
Rumsfeld puts on a bulletproof jacket while visiting Baghdad, Iraq, in April 2003.
Luke Frazza/Pool/Reuters
Rumsfeld signs a Baghdad road sign at the request of a US soldier in April 2003.
Rumsfeld signs a Baghdad road sign at the request of a US soldier in April 2003.
Luke Frazza/Pool/Reuters
Rumsfeld is briefed by British Major Gen. Robin Brimms, left, at the Basra Airport in Iraq in April 2003.
Rumsfeld is briefed by British Major Gen. Robin Brimms, left, at the Basra Airport in Iraq in April 2003.
Angus Beaton/Pool/AP
Rumsfeld briefs reporters at the Pentagon in May 2004. Rumsfeld said he condemned the abuse of Iraqi prisoners by US soldiers as "totally unacceptable and un-American,'' and he said the Defense Department would move vigorously to bring those responsible to justice.
Rumsfeld briefs reporters at the Pentagon in May 2004. Rumsfeld said he condemned the abuse of Iraqi prisoners by US soldiers as "totally unacceptable and un-American,'' and he said the Defense Department would move vigorously to bring those responsible to justice.
Ron Edmonds/AP
Rumsfeld and Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge watch news coverage of the presidential election in November 2004. Bush defeated John Kerry to win re-election.
Rumsfeld and Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge watch news coverage of the presidential election in November 2004. Bush defeated John Kerry to win re-election.
Alex Wong/Getty Images
Rumsfeld motions to an aide to display a chart detailing production of armored Humvees as he is questioned during his testimony to the Senate Appropriations Committee in February 2005.
Rumsfeld motions to an aide to display a chart detailing production of armored Humvees as he is questioned during his testimony to the Senate Appropriations Committee in February 2005.
Charles Dharapak/AP
From left, Rumsfeld, Vice President Dick Cheney, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Richard Myers and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice walk with Bush at the President's ranch in Crawford, Texas, in August 2005.
From left, Rumsfeld, Vice President Dick Cheney, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Richard Myers and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice walk with Bush at the President's ranch in Crawford, Texas, in August 2005.
Charles Ommanney/Getty Images
Rumsfeld poses for a photo with US troops during a visit to California's Fort Irwin in August 2005.
Rumsfeld poses for a photo with US troops during a visit to California's Fort Irwin in August 2005.
Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP
Rumsfeld visits the Academy of Military Science in Beijing in October 2005. He traveled to China for meetings with military and civilian leaders.
Rumsfeld visits the Academy of Military Science in Beijing in October 2005. He traveled to China for meetings with military and civilian leaders.
David Hume Kennerly/Getty Images
Rumsfeld holds a joint news conference with Afghan President Hamid Karzai in Kabul, Afghanistan, in December 2005. Rumsfeld told reporters that the United States was not going to abandon Afghanistan.
Rumsfeld holds a joint news conference with Afghan President Hamid Karzai in Kabul, Afghanistan, in December 2005. Rumsfeld told reporters that the United States was not going to abandon Afghanistan.
Jim Young/Pool/AP
US soldiers from the 173rd Airborne Brigade wait to have their picture taken with Rumsfeld in Kandahar, Afghanistan, in December 2005.
US soldiers from the 173rd Airborne Brigade wait to have their picture taken with Rumsfeld in Kandahar, Afghanistan, in December 2005.
Jim Young/Pool/AP
Rumsfeld is escorted by Joanna Hanley, superintendent of the Flight 93 Memorial, as he looks at tributes in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, in March 2006.
Rumsfeld is escorted by Joanna Hanley, superintendent of the Flight 93 Memorial, as he looks at tributes in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, in March 2006.
Alex Wong/Pool/AP
Rumsfeld listens as Bush speaks to reporters at Camp David, the presidential retreat in Maryland, in June 2006.
Rumsfeld listens as Bush speaks to reporters at Camp David, the presidential retreat in Maryland, in June 2006.
Brendan Smialowski/The New York Times/Redux
Rumsfeld, left, joins Bush, Cheney and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Peter Pace for a Pentagon ceremony in December 2006. Bush was replacing Rumsfeld as secretary of defense.
Rumsfeld, left, joins Bush, Cheney and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Peter Pace for a Pentagon ceremony in December 2006. Bush was replacing Rumsfeld as secretary of defense.
Tim Sloan/AFP/Getty Images
Rumsfeld waves after making remarks at his retirement ceremony in December 2006.
Rumsfeld waves after making remarks at his retirement ceremony in December 2006.
Mark Wilson/Getty Images
Rumsfeld and his wife, Joyce, pay their respects to former President Gerald Ford inside the US Capitol Rotunda in 2007.
Rumsfeld and his wife, Joyce, pay their respects to former President Gerald Ford inside the US Capitol Rotunda in 2007.
Jim Young/Reuters
Rumsfeld signs books after speaking at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia in 2011.
Rumsfeld signs books after speaking at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia in 2011.
Jessica Kourkounis/Getty Images
Rumsfeld is interviewed for a documentary about White House chiefs of staff in 2012.
Rumsfeld is interviewed for a documentary about White House chiefs of staff in 2012.
David Hume Kennerly/Getty Images
Rumsfeld and Bush take part in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Pentagon Memorial on the September 11 anniversary in 2019.
Rumsfeld and Bush take part in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Pentagon Memorial on the September 11 anniversary in 2019.
Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images