Former Sen. Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.) announced Tuesday that he has dementia.
The 83-year-old served in Congress for more than 25 years, The Hill reported.
Kyl said in a statement he will retreat from public life due to his diagnosis, The Associated Press reported.
“My family and I now head down a path filled with moments of joy and increasing difficulties,” he said. “I am grateful beyond expression for their love and support, in these coming days as in all the days of my life. Despite this diagnosis, I remain a very fortunate man.”
The former lawmaker represented Arizona in the Senate from 1995 to 2013. He rose through the ranks to become minority whip during his final years in office.
Former Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey (R) appointed Kyl to fill the seat vacated by the late Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) in fall 2018.
Kyl resigned in December of that year and was succeeded by former Sen. Martha McSally (R).
Between his terms in the Senate, Kyl guided Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination through the upper chamber.
Kyl also represented Arizona’s 4th Congressional District in the House of Representatives from 1987-95.
Born in Oakland, Neb., he was the son of former Rep. John Henry Kyl (R-Iowa) and Arlene Kyl.
He graduated from the University of Arizona in 1964 and received his law degree from the school two years later.
Kyl and his wife, Caryll, have been married since 1964. They have two children and four grandchildren.
