![Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://uknews.evprotec.com/former-top-us-diplomat-bill-richardson-dies-aged-75/&media=https://uknews.evprotec.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/130971259_39de19d21f2fbe00480091c7c84b70231a5e64a60_0_3304_23601000x714.jpg&description=Image source, Reuters Image caption, Bill Richardson, top US diplomat, dies aged 75 after decades brokering deals for Americans held unjustly abroad Former US ambassador to the UN Bill Richardson has died aged 75, his foundation has announced. Serving under President Bill Clinton, he won admiration for his commitment to securing the release of US citizens detained around the world. He continued that work out of politics, last year travelling to Moscow to discuss the release of detained basketball star Britney Griner. President Joe Biden hailed Mr Richardson as an American "patriot". "Few have served our nation in as many capacities or with as much relentlessness, creativity, and good cheer," Mr Biden said in a statement on Saturday. "His most lasting legacy will be the work Bill did to free Americans held in some of the most dangerous places on Earth," Mr Biden added, reflecting that "he will be missed". Born in Pasadena, California, in 1947 to a Spanish-born mother and a Nicaraguan-born father, Mr Richardson grew up in Mexico City before attending boarding school in Massachusetts. After graduating from Tufts University in 1970, he earned a master's degree in 1971. Soon after he embarked on a career in politics which would see him hold major national and state-wide offices. In 1983 he was elected to the US House, representing New Mexico's Third District. Over the next five decades in politics he developed a specialisation in diplomatic negotiations, skills which would see President Clinton tap him as his envoy to the UN in 1997. The next year he became Mr Clinton's energy secretary, serving through to the end of the administration. In 2002, he became the only Hispanic leader of a US state when he won the New Mexico governorship. His enduring popularity in the state saw him re-elected to a second term in 2006 by a record margin of 68% to 32%. Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Mr Richardson's work saw him nominated for the Nobel Peace prize several times His s){kind=link}
Former US ambassador to the UN Bill Richardson has died aged 75, his foundation has announced.
Serving under President Bill Clinton, he won admiration for his commitment to securing the release of US citizens detained around the world.
He continued that work out of politics, last year travelling to Moscow to discuss the release of detained basketball star Britney Griner.
President Joe Biden hailed Mr Richardson as an American “patriot”.
“Few have served our nation in as many capacities or with as much relentlessness, creativity, and good cheer,” Mr Biden said in a statement on Saturday.