Kay Granger, the former Texas congresswoman who became one of Fort Worth’s most prominent political figures, has died at 83, officials announced Sunday evening.
Granger, who made history as Fort Worth’s first female mayor before heading to Capitol Hill, had been living in an independent living facility when she died, a spokeswoman for Granger and her son told CBS News.
A cause of death has not been released. In 2025, her son, Brandon Granger, told The Dallas Morning News that his mother had been “having some dementia issues late in the year.”
House Speaker Mike Johnson later confirmed Granger’s death on Sunday night, joining the tributes to the longtime Republican lawmaker.
Johnson remembered Granger as a public servant whose career stretched from the classroom and the business world to local government in Fort Worth and nearly 30 years in Congress, including her influential role as chairwoman of the House Appropriations Committee.
He also highlighted the trailblazing milestones that defined her political rise: Granger was the first woman elected mayor of Fort Worth, the first Republican woman from Texas elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, and the first Republican woman to lead the powerful House Appropriations Committee.
Johnson said he and his wife, Kelly, were praying for Granger’s family, friends and the Fort Worth community, calling her a dear friend whose decades of service left a lasting legacy.
Granger had represented Texas in the U.S. House since January 1997, though in her later years in office, questions about her health and extended absences from Washington, D.C., drew public attention from constituents and political observers.
Former Texas Congresswoman Kay Granger has died at the age of 83, officials said on Sunday evening
She received an endorsement from President Donald Trump in 2020 during her reelection campaign
The Republican announced she would not seek reelection in 2023 and retired in January 2025.
‘As many of my family, friends, and colleagues have known, I have been navigating some unforeseen health challenges over the past year.
‘However, since early September, my health challenges have progressed, making frequent travel to Washington both difficult and unpredictable. During this time, my incredible staff has remained steadfast, continuing to deliver exceptional constituent services, as they have for the past 27 years,’ it read.
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In December of last year, Brandon told The Dallas Morning News that his mother was living at Tradition Senior Living in Fort Worth.
He noted that the place was not a memory care facility and that Granger resided in the independent living area.
In 2025, she was named Fort Worth’s Inc.’s 2025 Person of the Year for her trailblazing career and decades of public service.
Ted Cruz, a U.S. Senator from Texas, also shared a tribute online after hearing of Granger’s passing.
‘Heidi and I are deeply saddened by the passing of Kay Granger. From serving as Fort Worth’s first woman mayor to becoming the first Republican woman from Texas elected to the House and the first Republican woman to chair the House Appropriations Committee, Kay lived a life of historic firsts.
She was a former school teacher and businesswoman who served on Fort Worth’s zoning commission from 1981 to 1989
‘For nearly three decades, she championed North Texas, our Armed Forces, and a strong national defense. We are praying for her family and all who loved her,’ Cruz wrote.
Granger was born in Greenville, Texas, and graduated from Texas Wesleyan University in 1965.
She was a former school teacher and businesswoman who served on Fort Worth’s zoning commission from 1981 to 1989.
Granger went on to serve on the city council before being elected as the first female mayor of Fort Worth in 1991. She served in that role until 1995.
She received an endorsement from President Donald Trump in 2020 during her reelection campaign.
Granger was also one of four Republicans who opposed Trump’s impeachment.
In addition to being the first female mayor of Fort Worth, Granger was also the first woman to chair the House of Appropriations Committee.
She had three children and five grandchildren and was divorced.
This is breaking news… updates to follow.
