Sen Mark Warner announces death of daughter Madison, 36, after long battle with juvenile diabetes

WASHINGTON, DC: Senator Mark Warner (D-VA) announced on Monday, April 20, the death of his eldest daughter, Madison, at the age of 36. Warner and his wife, Lisa Collis, said she had been living with juvenile diabetes and other health issues for decades.

The announcement was made in a public statement shared on social media. The family has requested privacy as they grieve the loss.

Family statement announces loss and requests privacy

In a joint statement, Warner and Collis described their daughter’s death as a profound personal loss.

“We are heartbroken beyond words by the passing of our beloved daughter, Madison, 36, after a decades-long battle with juvenile diabetes and other health issues. She filled our lives with love and laughter, and her absence leaves an immeasurable void,” the statement read.

The couple also acknowledged the support they have received and asked for space during the period of mourning. “We are grateful for the loving support of friends and family during this difficult time and ask for privacy as we navigate this profound loss.”

Madison was the eldest of the couple’s three daughters, followed by Gillian and Eliza.

The family first entered the public spotlight in the early 2000s, when Warner was elected governor of Virginia.

He served from 2002 to 2006 before later being elected to the US Senate in 2008, where he has since won reelection multiple times.

Warner, 71, announced in December 2025 that he plans to seek another term in 2026.

It remains unclear whether his daughter’s death will affect those plans. Despite his long tenure in public office, detailed information about Madison’s health condition had not been widely disclosed prior to the announcement.

Health advocacy and public references to diabetes

Over the years, Warner has referenced his daughters’ health conditions in broader policy discussions, particularly in debates related to healthcare access and affordability.

While he had previously noted that one of his daughters had Type 1 diabetes, he had not publicly identified Madison as the individual affected before this announcement.

In 2019, Warner highlighted concerns about insulin affordability and access in a social media post.

“As the father of a daughter with Juvenile Diabetes, this just breaks my heart,” he wrote at the time, while calling for action from lawmakers and pharmaceutical companies.

“Congress and the pharmaceutical companies need to step up to make sure insulin is affordable and accessible for those who need it,” he added.

Later that year, he raised similar concerns during remarks on the Senate floor while opposing healthcare plans that could exclude individuals with preexisting conditions.

“I’ve got 3 daughters. Two of my three daughters have preexisting medical conditions that would not be covered under these junk plans,” Warner said.