John Doe

"General Powell" and "Secretary Powell" redirect here. For other uses, see General Powell (disambiguation) and Secretary Powell (disambiguation). For other people named Colin Powell, see Colin Powell (disambiguation). Colin Powell

Official portrait, 2001 65th United States Secretary of State In office January 20, 2001 – January 26, 2005 President George W. Bush Deputy Richard Armitage Preceded by Madeleine Albright Succeeded by Condoleezza Rice 12th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff In office October 1, 1989 – September 30, 1993 President George H. W. Bush Bill Clinton Deputy Robert T. Herres David E. Jeremiah Preceded by William J. Crowe Succeeded by John Shalikashvili 15th United States National Security Advisor In office November 23, 1987 – January 20, 1989 President Ronald Reagan Deputy John Negroponte Preceded by Frank Carlucci Succeeded by Brent Scowcroft United States Deputy National Security Advisor In office December 2, 1986 – November 23, 1987 President Ronald Reagan Preceded by Peter Rodman Succeeded by John Negroponte Personal details Born Colin Luther Powell April 5, 1937 New York City, U.S. Died October 18, 2021 (aged 84) Bethesda, Maryland, U.S. Resting place Arlington National Cemetery Party Independent (until 1995, 2021) Republican (1995–2021) Spouse Alma Johnson ​(m. 1962)​ Children 3, including Michael and Linda Education City College of New York (BS) George Washington University (MBA) Signature Military service Allegiance United States Branch/service United States Army Years of service 1958–1993 Rank General Unit 3rd Armored Division 23rd Infantry Division Commands Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff U.S. Army Forces Command V Corps 2nd Brigade, 101st Airborne Division 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment Battles/wars Vietnam War Invasion of Panama Gulf War Awards (see § Awards and decorations) Colin Luther Powell (/ˈkoʊlɪn ˈpaʊəl/ KOH-lin POW-əl;[a] April 5, 1937 – October 18, 2021) was an American U.S. Army general, diplomat, and statesman who served as the 65th United States secretary of state from 2001 to 2005, being the first Black American to hold the office, and was the highest-ranking Black American in the federal executive branch in American history (along with his successor Condoleezza Rice) until the election of Barack Obama as president in 2008. Initially politically independent, Powell joined the Republican Party in 1995, but left it in 2021 following the January 6 United States Capitol attack. He was the 15th national security advisor from 1987 to 1989, and the 12th chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from 1989 to 1993.