John Heinz

American businessman and politician (1938–1991)

Henry John Heinz III (October 23, 1938 – April 4, 1991) was an American politician from Pennsylvania and the great-grandson of the founder of H. J. Heinz Company. He was a member of the United States House of Representatives from 1971 to 1977 and was a US senator from 1977 to 1991. He was killed in a plane crash in 1991.

John Heinz
United States Senator
from Pennsylvania
In office
January 3, 1977 – April 4, 1991
Preceded byHugh Scott
Succeeded byHarris Wofford
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Pennsylvania's 18th district
In office
November 2, 1971 – January 3, 1977
Preceded byRobert Corbett
Succeeded byDoug Walgren
Personal details
Born
Henry John Heinz III

(1938-10-23)October 23, 1938
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
DiedApril 4, 1991(1991-04-04) (aged 52)
Lower Merion Township, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Cause of deathPlane crash
Resting placeHomewood Cemetery
NationalityAmerican
Political partyRepublican
Spouse(s)
(m. 1966)
RelationsHenry J. Heinz (great-grandfather)
Drue Heinz (stepmother)
Children3, including André and Christopher
FatherJack Heinz
Alma materYale University
Harvard Business School
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/service United States Air Force (Reserves)
Years of service1963–69

Heinz married Teresa Simões-Ferreira on February 5, 1966 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The couple had three sons together: H. John Heinz IV, André, and Christopher.

A number of places are named after Heinz, including:

  • Senator H. John Heinz III Archives at the Carnegie Mellon University Libraries
  • H. John Heinz III School of Public Policy and Management
  • H. John Heinz III Center For Science, Economics and The Environment
  • H. John Heinz III Center For the Performing Arts (Heinz Hall), home of the Pittsburgh Symphony
  • Senator John Heinz History Center