R.I.P.

Kitty Dukakis, Wife of One-Time Democratic Prez Nominee, Dies at 88

Michael Dukakis lost the 1988 presidential election to George H.W. Bush.

Kitty Dukakis, the wife of 1988 Democratic presidential nominee Michael Dukakis, has died at 88. Kitty, once the first lady of Massachusetts when her husband was governor, was a humanitarian who overcame a battle with alcoholism, according to The New York Times. Her son, John Dukakis, told the paper that her cause of death was complications from dementia. Kitty “lived a full life fighting to make the world a better place and sharing her vulnerabilities to help others face theirs,” the family told the Times in a statement. Kitty, who was Jewish, focused much of her activism on Holocaust education. She also worked on projects that helped homeless people, refugees, and AIDS victims. Despite concealing her struggle with depression and addiction during her time in the political spotlight, she later wrote two books on how electroconvulsive therapy helped her overcome her mental health struggles. She also worked as a modern dance teacher. Her husband faced off against Republican nominee George H.W. Bush in the 1988 presidential election. Dukakis, who once held a 17-point lead in the polls, wound up losing decisively to Bush after he opted not to respond to the Republican’s attacks or campaign country-wide. Kitty is survived by her husband, 91, and their three children.