Remembering Six People Lost in 2010

04 January 2011

Elizabeth Edwards last September as she arrived at a "Stand Up To Cancer" television event at Sony Studios in Culver City, California

FAITH LAPIDUS: I’m Faith Lapidus.

STEVE EMBER: And I’m Steve Ember with PEOPLE IN AMERICA in VOA Special English. Today we remember six interesting people who died in the past year.

FAITH LAPIDUS: We start with Elizabeth Edwards. She was the wife of former senator John Edwards and served as a political adviser during his campaigns.

Mr. Edwards was the Democratic vice-presidential nominee in two thousand four. He unsuccessfully competed for the presidential nomination in two thousand eight.

Elizabeth Edwards had a successful career as a lawyer long before she became involved with politics. She was also the mother of four children.

She faced several tragedies in her life. The Edwards’ teenage son Wade was killed in a car accident in nineteen ninety-six. She was diagnosed with breast cancer at age fifty-five. And, during his last campaign, it became public that John Edwards had had an affair and child with another woman. The Edwards later separated.

For many people Elizabeth Edwards was a hero for her brave and very public battle with cancer. She did not let the disease stop her campaign work and activism. She became a fierce supporter for health care reform and women’s health issues. She also wrote two best-selling books about her life.