Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) announced Monday that he will resume his duties in the Senate this week after taking time to grieve the death of his daughter, Madison Warner, who passed away earlier this month at age 36.
In a statement posted on X, Warner expressed gratitude for the public's support, writing, “As we remember our incredible daughter, Maddy, my family has been deeply touched by the outpouring of support we’ve received. Thank you to everyone for your kind words.”
Madison Warner had struggled with juvenile diabetes—now commonly referred to as type 1 diabetes—and related health issues for decades. According to the CDC, more than 2.1 million Americans, including roughly 314,000 children and adolescents under 20, have been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. The agency also estimates that 11 million U.S. adults have undiagnosed diabetes, highlighting the broader public health challenge. Symptoms of type 1 diabetes include excessive thirst, frequent urination, and unexplained weight loss, as noted by the Mayo Clinic.
In a joint statement last Monday, Warner and his wife, Lisa Collis, said they were “heartbroken beyond words” by their daughter’s passing. Warner described Madison as “a deeply empathetic and engaged person” who, even on the day she died, was offering him advice on how to improve his social media presence. “She used to say to me: ‘Dad, you have the power — you have to use it,’” Warner recalled. “She pushed me to make the most of my position, to use my seat in the Senate to help people in meaningful ways.”
The former Virginia governor added that he finds solace in his ability to serve Virginians and intends to continue working “for a better, more just world in Maddy’s name.” He concluded, “I look forward to returning to the Senate this week and continuing that essential work.”
Madison Warner is survived by her two younger sisters. Her death comes amid a period of heightened attention to health issues in the Senate, with other members like Sen. Chuck Grassley also recently recovering from medical procedures. Warner’s return will be closely watched as the chamber tackles pressing legislative priorities.
The loss has drawn an outpouring of bipartisan sympathy from colleagues, reflecting the personal toll that public service often exacts. Warner’s decision to return quickly underscores his commitment to his role, even as he navigates profound personal grief.
