John Heinz

John Heinz
United States Senator from Pennsylvania
In office January 3, 1977 – April 4, 1991
Preceded by	Hugh Scott
Succeeded by	Harris Wofford
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania's 18th district
In office November 2, 1971 – January 3, 1977
Preceded by	Robert Corbett
Succeeded by	Doug Walgren
Personal details
Born	Henry John Heinz III (1938-10-23)October 23, 1938 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Died	April 4, 1991(1991-04-04) (aged 52) Lower Merion Township, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Cause of death	Helicopter crash
Resting place	Homewood Cemetery
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Teresa Simões-Ferreira ​ ​ (m. 1966)​
Children	3, including André and Christopher
Parent	Jack Heinz (father)
Relatives	Henry J. Heinz (great-grandfather) Drue English (stepmother)
Alma mater	Yale University (BA) Harvard University (MBA)
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch/service	United States Air Force (Reserves)
Years of service	1963–1969

Henry John Heinz III (October 23, 1938 – April 4, 1991) was an American businessman and politician who served as a United States senator from Pennsylvania from 1977 until his death in 1991. An heir to the Heinz family fortune, Heinz entered politics in 1971 when he won a special election to replace Robert Corbett to represent Pennsylvania's 18th congressional district. In 1976, Heinz ran to replace retiring Senate Minority Leader Hugh Scott. Heinz narrowly won in the primary over future Senator Arlen Specter, and defeated William Green III. Heinz won re-election in 1982 and 1988 by large margins. On April 4, 1991, Heinz was killed when his plane, facing mechanical problems, collided with a helicopter inspecting the plane, killing all involved in the crash.