Rhea Chiles

American politician (1930-2015)

Rhea Chiles (December 1, 1930 – November 8, 2015) was an American philanthropist and writer. She was the former First Lady of the State of Florida serving from 1991 to 1998. She was married to the late Governor Lawton Chiles.

Rhea Chiles
First Lady of Florida
In office
January 8, 1991 – December 12, 1998
GovernorLawton Chiles
Preceded byMary Jane Martinez
Succeeded byAnne Selph MacKay
Personal details
Born(1930-12-01)December 1, 1930
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
DiedNovember 8, 2015(2015-11-08) (aged 84)
Anna Maria Island, Florida, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
Spouse(s)
Lawton Chiles (m. 1951–1998)
(his death)
ChildrenTandy Chiles Barrett; Ed; Lawton Chiles, III ("Bud"); Rhea Gay
Alma materUniversity of Florida

In 1998, Chiles founded The Lawton Chiles Foundation, which carries on the commitment of her husband to benefit the lives of children in Florida.[1][2] In 2009, Chiles was designated a Distinguished Floridian by the Florida Economics Club at an event hosted by former Florida Supreme Court Justice Major B. Harding and keynoted by former United States Senator Sam Nunn.[3]

Chiles died from a long-illness at her home in Anna Maria Islands, Florida at the age of 84.[4]

References change

  1. "Lawton Chiles Foundation - Florida". Lawton Chiles Foundation - Florida.
  2. "Whole Child Project". Archived from the original on 2015-11-10. Retrieved 2015-12-05.
  3. http://www.floridatoday.com/article/CD/20090213/CAPITOLNEWS/902130335/1099/NEWS08
  4. "Rhea Chiles, wife of former governor, dies at age 84". Tampa Bay.com. Archived from the original on December 12, 2015. Retrieved November 8, 2015.