John Warner

John William Warner, Jr. (February 18, 1927 – May 25, 2021) was an American Republican politician. He was the Secretary of the Navy from 1972 to 1974. He was a United States Senator from Virginia from January 2, 1979, to January 3, 2009.

John Warner KBE
United States Senator from Virginia
In office January 2, 1979 – January 3, 2009
Preceded by	William L. Scott
Succeeded by	Mark Warner
61st United States Secretary of the Navy 13th Secretary under the DoD
In office May 4, 1972 – April 8, 1974
President	Richard Nixon
Preceded by	John Chafee
Succeeded by	J. William Middendorf, II
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Armed Services
In office January 3, 1999 – January 3, 2001
Preceded by	Strom Thurmond
Succeeded by	Carl Levin
In office January 20, 2001 – June 6, 2001
Preceded by	Carl Levin
Succeeded by	Carl Levin
In office January 3, 2003 – January 3, 2007
Preceded by	Carl Levin
Succeeded by	Carl Levin
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration
In office September 8, 1995 – January 3, 1999
Preceded by	Ted Stevens
Succeeded by	Mitch McConnell
Personal details
Born	John William Warner, Jr. (1927-02-18)February 18, 1927 Washington, D.C., U.S.
Died	May 25, 2021(2021-05-25) (aged 94) Alexandria, Virginia, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse(s)	Catherine Mellon ​ ​ (m. 1957⁠–⁠1973)​ (div.) Elizabeth Taylor ​ ​ (m. 1976⁠–⁠1982)​ (div.) Jeanne Vander Myde ​ (m. 2003)​
Children	With Mellon: Virginia Warner John Warner, Jr. Mary Warner
Alma mater	Washington and Lee University University of Virginia Law School
Profession	Lawyer
Awards	Knight of the Order of the British Empire
Signature
Military service
Branch/service	United States Navy United States Marine Corps
Years of service	1945–1946 1950–1953
Rank	Petty Officer 3rd Class Captain
Unit	1st Marine Aircraft Wing
Battles/wars	World War II Korean War

He did not run for office in 2008. He has rejoined the law firm of Hogan Lovells, where he worked before joining the United States Department of Defense.

Warner was also the sixth husband to actress Elizabeth Taylor, whom he married before being elected to the Senate. He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 2009.^[1]

Warner was born on February 18, 1927 in Washington, D.C..^[2] He was raised in Washington, D.C.. Warner studied at St. Albans School, at Woodrow Wilson High School, at Washington-Lee University, at University of Virginia Law School, and at George Washington University.

Warner was married to Catherine Mellon in 1957 until they divorced in 1973, they had three children. Then he was married to Elizabeth Taylor from 1976 until they divorced in 1982. In 2003, he married Jeanne Vander Myde.

A critic of President Donald Trump, he supported Democrats Hillary Clinton in 2016 and Joe Biden in 2020.

Warner died on May 25, 2021 at his home in Alexandria, Virginia from heart failure at the age of 94.^[3][4]