US politician's 23yo daughter dies on holiday after semester abroad in Australia

The 23-year-old daughter of a US politician has died unexpectedly on an Italian holiday after finishing a semester abroad in Australia.

The parents of a 23-year-old who died suddenly last month after falling ill during a dinner on a European holiday have opened up about her final moments.

Molly McGovern, the daughter of US congressman Jim McGovern, died just minutes after experiencing a wave of nausea while having a jovial meal with a friend and his family on a trip to Assisi in central Italy, The Boston Globereported.

At the age of just 18, Molly was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, but she found a way to manage her medical treatment and kept up a vigorous life.

Mr McGovern wrote on Instagram that Molly had been holidaying in Italy after finishing a semester abroad in Australia, and had “passed away unexpectedly”.

She was studying a bachelor’s degree in political science and international affairs at Boston’s Northeastern University.

“Even as she faced a rare cancer diagnosis, she did so with relentless courage, optimism, and tenacity — refusing to let her illness slow her down,” Mr McGovern wrote.

Molly McGovern had travelled the world despite her health struggles. Picture: Instagram / Jim McGovern

Here she is pictured wearing an Australia Zoo hat. Instagram / Molly McGovern

Mr McGovern described his daughter as being “full of laughter, endless warmth, and a sharp wit that could disarm you in an instant”.

“She was unbelievably funny, fiercely loyal, and wise beyond her years. Molly had a rare gift: She made everyone feel special, because she genuinely believed everyone was special,” the politician said.

On the day she died, she had exchanged texts with former US House Speaker and family friend Nancy Pelosi, who was preparing to travel to Italy for the funeral of Pope Francis.

“I think his holiness, who was so saintly, decided he wanted another angel in heaven,” Ms Pelosi said she told Mr McGovern last week. “And that would be Molly, because she was so good.”

During his eulogy at Molly’s funeral, the 15-term Democrat joked: “To be honest, my first thought was: ‘Oh my God, poor Pope Francis’.”

Molly with her mother, Lisa. Picture: Instagram / Jim McGovern

Molly with her politician father, Jim. Picture: Instagram / Jim McGovern

Molly had a close friendship with the Pelosis, and after the former speaker’s husband, Paul Pelosi, was attacked at their California home in 2022, she sent him cards and “a box of sunshine” filled with gifts aimed at cheering him up, the Globe reported.

Molly’s faith was deeply important to her, her father recalled, even if she wasn’t always on board with all of the church’s teachings.

US congressman Jim McGovern with his wife Lisa, son Patrick and daughter Molly. jimmcgovern.com

Asked as a child by a priest what she wanted to be when she grew up, she replied, “I want to be a cardinal,” he recalled during the eulogy.

“She’d also be saying, ‘What’s the deal? Why can’t women be cardinals?’” he told the Globe.

Molly had flown to Rome on Easter Sunday and died three days later in Assisi, a place that held special meaning for her, her mother explained.

“Her everyday necklace was a St. Francis medallion,” Lisa McGovern said in her eulogy.

“She had a great 23 years, but who would have thought the last five years would be the best. There were little miracles everywhere,” she said.

Mr McGovern, the top Democrat on the powerful House Rules Committee, has represented the Bay State since 1997 and has served its 2nd Congressional District since 2013.

— with New York Post