John Heinz

John Heinz
United States Senator
from Pennsylvania
In office
January 3, 1977 – April 4, 1991
Preceded byHugh Scott
Succeeded byHarris Wofford
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Pennsylvania's 18th district
In office
November 2, 1971 – January 3, 1977
Preceded byRobert Corbett
Succeeded byDoug Walgren
Personal details
Born
Henry John Heinz III

(1938-10-23)October 23, 1938
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
DiedApril 4, 1991(1991-04-04) (aged 52)
Lower Merion Township, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Cause of deathHelicopter crash
Resting placeHomewood Cemetery
Political partyRepublican
Spouse
(m. 1966)
Children3, including André and Christopher
Parent
RelativesHenry J. Heinz (great-grandfather)
Drue English (stepmother)
Alma materYale University (BA)
Harvard University (MBA)
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/service United States Air Force (Reserves)
Years of service1963–1969

Henry John Heinz III (October 23, 1938 – April 4, 1991) was an American businessman and politician who served as a United States senator from Pennsylvania from 1977 until his death in 1991. An heir to the Heinz family fortune, Heinz entered politics in 1971 when he won a special election to replace Robert Corbett to represent Pennsylvania's 18th congressional district. In 1976, Heinz ran to replace retiring Senate Minority Leader Hugh Scott. Heinz narrowly won in the Republican primary over future Senator Arlen Specter, and defeated William Green III in the general election. Heinz won re-election in 1982 and 1988 by large margins. On April 4, 1991, Heinz was killed when his plane, facing mechanical problems, collided with a helicopter inspecting the plane, killing all involved in the crash.