• Faith: Christian - Catholic
• Career: Politician
• Birthday:  December 06, 1975
• Date of Death:  March 23, 2025

Mia Love was a politician and political commentator who represented Utah’s 4th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2015 to 2019. Of Haitian descent, she made history as the first Black person elected to Congress from Utah, the first Haitian-American to serve in Congress, and the first Black woman elected to Congress as a Republican.

Mia Love was born Ludmya Bourdeau on December 6, 1975, in Brooklyn, New York. Her parents, Jean Maxine and Mary Bourdeau, had emigrated from Haiti in 1973, fleeing political turmoil and seeking a better life in the United States. Arriving with only $10 to their name and a strong work ethic, the Bourdeaus instilled in their children a deep appreciation for hard work, personal responsibility, and opportunity.

Mia grew up in Norwalk, Connecticut, and was raised in a household that emphasized education, discipline, and faith. As a child, she attended Catholic schools, which helped form the foundation of her values and principles. Her father famously told her, “Mia, your mother and I never took a handout. You will not be a burden to society. You will give back.”

This spirit of personal accountability would later become a cornerstone of her political philosophy.

Love attended the University of Hartford, where she studied fine arts and theater. After graduating with a degree in musical theater, she briefly pursued acting and also worked as a flight attendant with Continental Airlines. These early jobs, though not glamorous, gave her a window into the lives of working Americans—experiences that would inform her perspective as a public servant.

Mia Love’s political career began in Saratoga Springs, Utah, where she moved after marrying her husband, Jason Love. In 2003, she was elected to the Saratoga Springs City Council, becoming the first Black woman to serve on the body. She was later elected mayor in 2010, serving as the first Black female mayor in Utah history. Under her leadership, the city’s population doubled and she was praised for her fiscal discipline and efforts to balance the city’s budget.

In 2012, Love made her first run for Congress, narrowly losing to Democrat Jim Matheson in Utah's 4th Congressional District. Undeterred, she ran again in 2014 and made history by winning the seat, becoming the first Black Republican woman elected to Congress and the first Haitian-American elected to the House of Representatives.

During her time in Congress (2015–2019), Love served on the House Financial Services Committee and was an outspoken advocate for conservative fiscal policies, limited government, and immigration reform that balanced compassion with security. Though a Republican, Love was not afraid to challenge her party when she felt it was necessary. She publicly criticized then-President Donald Trump on several occasions, most notably for comments she felt were racially divisive. Her independence earned her respect from both sides of the aisle.

In her 2018 re-election bid, Love lost her seat by a narrow margin to Democrat Ben McAdams. In a post-election press conference, she delivered a powerful statement criticizing the Republican Party for not valuing minority voices, saying, “Because Republicans never take minority communities into their home and into their hearts, they stay with Democrats and bureaucrats in Washington because they do take them home—or at least make them feel like they have a home.”

Love did not return to elected office after 2018 but remained a public figure through commentary and advocacy. She joined CNN as a political commentator and frequently appeared on panels offering a conservative perspective, especially on issues related to race, faith, and governance.

Mia Love’s personal life was marked by deep devotion to her family. She met her husband, Jason Love, while working as a flight attendant. Jason, a devout member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), shared many of Mia's values, though she herself remained a practicing Catholic.

The couple married in 1998 and settled in Saratoga Springs, Utah. They had three children together: Alessa, Abigail, and Peyton. Love often spoke about how her role as a mother shaped her views on education, community, and the future of the country. She made it a priority to balance public service with being present at home, frequently involving her children in her campaign trail and political journey.

Despite the challenges of being a high-profile politician and one of the only Black public officials in a predominantly white, conservative state, Love and her family maintained a strong foundation rooted in faith, love, and purpose. Her husband remained her strongest supporter throughout her political career and during her final health battle.

On March 23, 2025, Mia Love passed away after a private battle with cancer. She was surrounded by her family in her final days. In a statement, her family said: “Mia was a devoted wife, mother, and public servant who never stopped fighting for what she believed in. Her faith guided her every step, and she faced her illness with the same courage and grace that defined her life.”

The news of her death prompted an outpouring of tributes from across the political spectrum. Former colleagues remembered her as a trailblazer who shattered ceilings and championed the values of integrity and perseverance. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson called her “a voice of moral clarity in American politics,” while President Joe Biden described her as “a patriot who believed in the promise of America.”

Mia Love's Religious Beliefs

Though Mia Love was often associated with the LDS community due to her husband’s faith, she remained a practicing Catholic throughout her life. Her Catholic faith was central to her identity and deeply influenced her values, worldview, and decision-making both personally and professionally.

Raised in the Catholic Church, Mia credited her faith with teaching her the importance of service, the dignity of every human life, and the power of redemption. These beliefs underpinned her political stances on issues like abortion, family, and social justice. She often quoted scripture in her speeches and was known to begin meetings and interviews with prayer.

In a 2015 interview, Love spoke openly about the role of faith in her life, saying, “My faith has always been my compass. It helps me make decisions not based on politics, but on principles. I believe that we’re called to serve others, especially the vulnerable, and to stand firm even when it’s unpopular.”

Love was also a strong supporter of religious liberty. During her time in Congress, she championed the rights of religious organizations to operate according to their beliefs without government interference. She supported school choice, often arguing that faith-based schools offered crucial alternatives for underserved communities.

While navigating a political landscape that was often polarized and contentious, Mia Love drew strength from her relationship with God. Even during her illness, she maintained a spirit of hope and peace rooted in her trust in Christ.

In one of her final public statements, she wrote, “God has been faithful through every season of my life. I don’t know what tomorrow holds, but I know who holds tomorrow.”

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