Robert Strauss, former Democratic Party leader, passed away on Wednesday at the age of 95.
His son Robert A. Strauss confirmed his father's death and said he had passed away at his Washington home, reports Businessweek. His cause of death was not announced.
During his time in politics, Strauss helped presidents from both parties during their time in office. He lead the Democratic National Committee between 1973 and 1977 and was a special enjoy to the Middle East while Jimmy Carter was in office.
Later, when President George H.W. Bush was in office, Strauss was appointed the U.S. ambassador to the Soviet Union before and after its collapse, which made him the first ambassador to Russia.
According to The Associated Press, he was known to be quite boastful, but at the same time able to poke fun at himself. Strauss liked to say "It ain't braggin' if you've done it."
Bush release a statement saying that Strauss' "lifelong devotion to the Democratic Party never precluded his ability to work across the aisle on matters of national importance. ... I valued his advice highly."
He remained active in politics even later into his life, as he served as a superdelegate for the 2008 presidential campaign, though he didn't choose a side between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. Strauss did later noted that the U.S. would be fine "if either became president."
His political career began when he worked on Lyndon B. Johnson's first congressional campaign, while Strauss was attending the University of Texas for law.
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