Has a Vice President ever died while in office?

To date, only 7 out of 8 Vice Presidents have died while serving in the office, and in one instance, nearly died in office. These historical figures highlight the turbulent yet important role of the Vice President in U.S. politics.

Seven Vice-Presidents Who Died in Office

Over the course of U.S. history, the office of Vice President has seen several individuals die while in service. Below is a detailed look at these seven Vice Presidents who met their fate during their terms:

1. George Clinton

(1789-1812)
VP for James Madison Thomas Jefferson

George Clinton was one of the key figures in the formation of the United States. He served as the fourth Vice President and the first governor of New York. Although known for his significant contributions, Clinton died before the end of his second term in 1812. He was the first Vice President to die in office.

2. Elbridge Gerry

(1812-1814)
VP for James Madison

Elbridge Gerry, successor to George Clinton, became Vice President after the 1812 elections. Like his predecessor, Gerry's term was cut short due to health issues. He was the second Vice President to die in office.

3. William Rufus DeVane King

(1853)
VP for Franklin Pierce

William Rufus DeVane King, a U.S. senator, became Vice President in 1853 following the election of Franklin Pierce. Tragically, his tenure was brief as he passed away a month after his inauguration. He was the third Vice President to die in office.

4. Henry Wilson

(1873-1875)
VP for Ulysses S. Grant

Henry Wilson served as Vice President under Ulysses S. Grant between 1873 and 1875. Although his term was shorter than the previous two, it was noticeably longer. While not of the same length, it is still the longest serving VP to die in office until James Sherman.

5. Thomas A. Hendricks

(1885)
VP for Grover Cleveland

Thomas A. Hendricks served under Grover Cleveland, who is famous for his two non-consecutive terms. Following his death, Levi P. Morton succeeded him as the 25th Vice President. His tenure was brief, making him the fifth Vice President to die in office.

6. Garret Hobart

(1899-1899)
VP for William McKinley

Garret Hobart served as the 24th Vice President under William McKinley for a mere 468 days. He was the sixth Vice President to die in office, and his death came just after 470 days into his term.

7. James S. Sherman

(1912)
VP for William Howard Taft

James S. Sherman was the last U.S. Vice President to die in office. His death in 1912 spared the office from another instance of a body in the role until more recent times. No Vice President has died in office since his time, marking a period of over a century without such occurrences.

No Vice President has been Assassinated

Remarkably, no Vice President has ever been assassinated, despite the high-profile nature of the office. The 25th Amendment provides a process for handling vacancies in the Vice Presidency, though it was ratified only in 1967. This means that for the seven Vice Presidents listed above, their vacancies simply remained vacant until the next election.

Conclusion

The office of Vice President, though essential, has been marked by several deaths during service. George Clinton, Elbridge Gerry, William Rufus DeVane King, Henry Wilson, Thomas A. Hendricks, Garret Hobart, and James S. Sherman are the only individuals to have died in office. These individuals enriched the historical tapestry of the United States, and their legacies continue to influence the dynamics of U.S. politics.