Kentucky bids farewell to a trailblazer, as Martha Layne Collins, the state’s first and only female governor, has passed away at the age of 88. Her passing marks the end of a remarkable chapter in Kentucky’s political history.

Collins’ husband, Dr. Bill Collins, shared that she died peacefully in her sleep at the Richmond Place Retirement Community in Lexington early Saturday morning. “I was with her,” he recounted, noting the presence of hospice and caregivers. “She lived a remarkable life.” As of now, the specific cause of her death remains undisclosed.

Current Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear took to social media on Saturday morning to express his sorrow and admiration for Collins, whom he fondly remembered as a “powerhouse.” In his heartfelt message, Beshear stated, “Today Kentucky said goodbye to our first and only woman Governor – and my friend – Martha Layne Collins.”

Governor Collins left an indelible mark on Kentucky, most notably through her pivotal role in attracting Toyota to establish its first U.S. manufacturing site in the state. Her leadership and vision during her tenure were instrumental in transforming the economic landscape of Kentucky, earning her a lasting legacy as a formidable force in the realm of governance.

‘Today Kentucky said goodbye to our first and only woman Governor – and my friend – Martha Layne Collins,’ Beshear wrote. 

‘Gov. Collins was a powerhouse, transforming our common wealth through major accomplishments like bringing Toyota to our state for its first U.S. site. 

‘She created a foundation for us to build a strong future upon, and her legacy will continue to benefit Kentucky families for generations,’ he said, adding the ‘proud Kentuckian’ will be truly missed. 

Collins was also the third woman in the nation to be elected to a gubernatorial office after she defeated Republican Jim Bunning in 1983. 

Martha Layne Collins, Kentucky’s first and only female governor, has died at the age of 88

She was considered a potential Democratic presidential nominee for Walter Mondale (right) in 1984

Collins served as the 56th governor from 1983 to 1987. She also served as the lieutenant governor under John Y. Brown from 1979 to 1983. 

She was considered a potential Democratic presidential nominee for Walter Mondale in 1984. 

Instead, Mondale, the 42nd US vice president, chose Congresswoman Geraldine Ferraro. 

Attorney General Russell Coleman also paid tribute to Collins on social media following news of her passing. 

‘As a dad of two daughters, I applaud Governor Collins’ service to Kentucky and busting through the glass ceiling to show that there are no limitations in our Commonwealth,’ Coleman said. ‘I send our condolences to Dr. Collins, their children and the entire family.’ 

Collins, who was born in Bagdad, about 20 minutes outside of Frankfort, graduated from the University of Kentucky before working as a school teacher.

Her interest in politics sparked in 1971 when she worked on Wendell Ford’s gubernatorial campaign. 

She then worked on Walter ‘Dee’ Huddleston’s US Senate campaign the following year. 

Her interest in politics sparked in 1971 when she worked on Wendell Ford’s gubernatorial campaign. (Pictured: Collins with Democrat Senate candidate Alison Lundergan Grimes in 2014)

She is known for being the reason Toyota opened a plant in Kentucky. (Pictured: Collins with Toyota Motor Corporation Chairman of the Board Eiji Toyoda, left, and then President Shoichiro Toyoda, right, during the opening ceremony of the plant)

In a video shared by the Kentucky Women’s Project, Collins talked about the hurdles she faced as a woman in politics. 

At the time, she said she ‘had to convince voters that I not only had good ideas and experience, but that a woman – a woman – could lead the state.’ 

‘I opened a door that will never, ever be closed again. No woman running for governor of Kentucky will ever again have to answer the question, “Can a woman do this job?”,’ Collins added. 

Collins was responsible for attracting Toyota to the Bluegrass State. 

The Japanese automotive company’s plant in Georgetown broke ground in 1986 and remains the largest in the world with approximately 10,000 people working there. 

The plant’s entrance also attracted several suppliers to set up camp in the area. 

Former Kentucky Governor Paul Patton spoke very highly of Collins and even tried to imitate after her took office two terms after her. 

‘I mean, what would Kentucky be like if we didn’t have Toyota? I think that had a lot to do with her working with the Japanese and convincing them to do business in Kentucky,’ Patton said. 

She is survived by her husband Dr. Bill Collins, who said she died in her sleep early Saturday morning 

‘That wasn’t something that just happened. That was Martha Layne Collins.’ 

She previously told the Lexington Herald-Leader she had her eyes on Toyota before the auto giant even announced plans to build a plant in North America. 

‘I always carried a United States map and had the outline of Kentucky in black, so they could see the roads and know the location was appealing,’ she told the outlet in 2011. 

In the end, the plant’s location was between Collins’ state and Tennessee, but she went the extra mile. 

She invited Toyota executives to the governor’s mansion for a nice meal and fireworks show to help sway them towards Kentucky, the outlet reported. 

‘So many people come up to tell me that plant changed their lives,’ she said. 

‘I told the company I wanted a good corporate citizen, and they have been such a tremendous contributor to so many things from arts and health care to education and sports.’ 

She is survived by her husband, her son Steven and daughter Marla, and her two grandchildren, Catherine and Taylor.