Sandra Day O’Connor dies in Phoenix, Arizona, at age 93, closing the life of the first woman justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.
On December 1, 2023, Sandra Day O’Connor died in Phoenix, Arizona, at the age of 93, from complications related to advanced dementia and a respiratory illness.
Her death marked the passing of the first woman justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, a figure whose pragmatism and independence shaped American constitutional law for a quarter‑century. Tributes from the Court, legal institutions, and civic organizations emphasized her role as a trailblazer and as a crucial centrist during an era of closely divided decisions.
By the time of her death, O’Connor had authored hundreds of opinions on issues ranging from reproductive rights and affirmative action to federalism, tribal sovereignty, and separation of powers. She had also devoted her post‑Court years to strengthening civic education through iCivics and promoting judicial integrity worldwide.
Historically, her passing prompted renewed assessment of her legacy: as a moderate conservative whose votes often determined outcomes in major cases; as a woman who defied early‑career discrimination to reach the highest court; and as a public figure who insisted that citizens understand and engage with their constitutional system. Her life and death are central reference points in the narrative of women’s ascendance in American law and government.