Angela Chao, the sister-in-law of Sen. Mitch McConnell and the youngest of his six daughters and a high-profile executive, has died in a car accident, her grieving family announced.
Mr. Chao, chief of New York-based dry bulk transportation giant Foremost Group, was 50 years old.
Details regarding the tragic crash that occurred in Texas on February 10 are not available.
“Losing her at such a young age is something we never imagined and our entire family is heartbroken,” said Chao’s father, Dr. James S.C. Chao. Chao’s father, Dr. James S.C. Chao, said in a statement on February 12. Marine link.
Angela Chao is a visionary who graduated summa cum laude from Harvard Business School in three years and joined the family business in 1964, founded by her father, chairman emeritus of Foremost.
The case study titled “Ocean Carriers,” which she wrote while attending the Ivy League school, is part of the required curriculum for first-year business students at Harvard University, according to Foremost magazine. statement Hellenic Shipping News reported on Chao’s death.
At various points in her career, she served on the boards of MoMA, the Metropolitan Opera, and Harvard Business School.
“As a pioneer among women in the executive suite, she inspired others to pursue their dreams. She also loved music and tried out the French horn as an instrument in her youth, always taking lessons by herself. We were determined to carry it with us,” the family said in a statement.
James Chao, who inspired her to “take my daughter to work” from an early age, said she had “a fierce intellectual curiosity that made her admired by everyone and motivated her to do whatever she wanted.” We were also able to achieve excellent results.”
Mr. Chao’s sister, Elaine Chao, served as secretary of labor in the George W. Bush administration from 2001 to 2009 and transportation secretary in the Donald Trump administration from 2017 to 2021.
She is the first Asian American woman to serve in the Cabinet and is married to Senate Minority Leader McConnell.
Memo issued by the U.S. Coast Guard Academy on X It touted Angela Chao as a “pioneer in the maritime industry.”
She is an advocate of environmentally sustainable business practices and was the reason for the group’s sustainable operations and eco-friendly vessels, the company said.
Foremost added: “Angela believed that a fundamental element of success was the belief that shipping was more than an asset finance business; it was about people.”
“She placed particular emphasis on the care and well-being of our crew and all those on board and ashore who played a role in carrying out our service.”
“Her absence leaves a void not only in our hearts, but also in the Asian American community,” James Chao added.
Chao was co-chair of the founding advisory board of the Asian American Foundation, and following her sudden death, the foundation called her a “beloved businesswoman, philanthropist, and respected leader.” I called it.
In addition to her father and five sisters, she is survived by her husband, Boston Celtics co-owner and venture capitalist Jim Breyer, who has an estimated net worth of $2.9 billion. They have a 3 year old son.
Chao was previously married to billionaire banker Bruce Wasserstein.
He died in 2009, just months after their marriage, after being hospitalized for an irregular heartbeat.
