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Former District of Columbia Mayor Marion Barry, whose four terms were overshadowed by his 1990 arrest after being caught on videotape smoking crack cocaine, died Sunday morning. He was 78. (Nov. 23) AP
Former mayor and D.C. City Council member Marion Barry arrives at a media availability to endorse Mayor Vincent Gray's bid for re-election on Mar. 19, 2014.(Photo: Alex Brandon, AP)
Former four-time District of Columbia mayor and city council member Marion Barry has died at age 78.
He passed away at around midnight on Nov. 23 at the United Medical Center in southeast D.C., his family said in a statement released by D.C. City Council.
He was released from Howard University Hospital the day before.
Barry has battled a number of ailments including prostate cancer and diabetes. In 2009 he received a kidney transplant.
Barry served as the District's mayor from 1979 to 1991, then again from 1995 to 1999. He was in his third term as the 8th Ward representative on the city council when he died.
His local celebrity exploded into international fame in 1990, when he was videotaped smoking crack by federal agents.
He was arrested and sent to federal prison for six months. That time in prison, however, did not affect his political career in the city at all. He was elected to the city council just a year and a half later in 1992.
Then, he was re-elected as the D.C. Mayor in 1994.
Barry, who released his autobiography in June 2014, leaves behind his wife, Cora Masters, his son, Marion Christopher Barry and his two stepdaughters, Tamara Masters Wild and Lalanya Masters Abner.
In a statement released early Sunday morning, District of Columbia Mayor Vincent Gray expressed his "deep sadness" after learning of Barry's passing.
"Marion was not just a colleague but also was a friend with whom I shared many fond moments about governing the city," he said.
"He loved the District of Columbia and so many Washingtonians loved him."
Washington, D.C. mayor-elect Muriel Bowser said in a statement: "Mayor Marion Barry gave a voice to those who need it most and lived his life in service to others.
"I – along with all Washingtonians – am shocked and deeply saddened by his passing..."
She paid condolences to the Barry family.
"He will continue to be an example to me and so many others," she added.
Contributing: Jane Onyanga-Omara
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