Congressman Jim McGovern’s Daughter Molly Dead at 23 Following ‘Rare Cancer’ Diagnosis

Congressman Jim McGovern announced that his daughter Molly has unexpectedly died at the age of 23.

“Molly radiated pure joy. She lit up every room with her beaming smile — full of laughter, endless warmth, and a sharp wit that could disarm you in an instant,” McGovern, 65, and his wife, Lisa, said in a joint statement shared via X on Thursday, April 24. “She was unbelievably funny, fiercely loyal, and wise beyond her years.”

The statement continued: “Molly had a rare gift: She made everyone feel special, because she genuinely believed everyone was special. She treated people with compassion and kindness — always standing up for the underdog, and making fast friends wherever she went.”

The couple, who have been married since 1989, added that their late daughter had a deep love for the Boston Bruins in addition to her family and friends. They lamented on how she shined a “light” on everyone she interacted with throughout her life — even when she battled through tough times.

“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,” the pair wrote. “She had just finished a semester abroad in Australia. She passed away unexpectedly in Italy while visiting a good friend and his family.”

In addition to her parents, Molly is survived by her brother, Patrick.

“Molly will always be the soul of our family. We are so proud of her, and so glad that so many people were touched by her incredible life. We love you, Molly. We miss you already,” the statement concluded.

McGovern was elected to the House of Representatives in 1997 to represent Massachusetts’s 2nd congressional district. Molly was seemingly inspired by her father’s political career, as she chose to follow in his footsteps. According to her LinkedIn page, Molly studied political science and government at Northeastern University. She also worked with her dad’s colleague Jamie Raskin who is a congressman for Maryland.

Following the news of Molly’s passing, Raskin, 62, offered his condolences to the McGovern family. (In 2010, Raskin’s son Tommy died at age 25.)

“The world is a poorer place today than it was yesterday as we wake up to the hard reality of life without Molly McGovern,” Raskin wrote in a statement shared via X on Thursday. “Everyone in our family adored Molly and we were all inspired by her love for animals, her passion for sports, and her ebullient compassion and care for friends, family, and strangers. We embrace the McGoverns and hold them tight during this hard, hard time.”