Massie mourns death of wife, his ‘high school sweetheart’ 

Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) announced the death of Rhonda Massie, his wife of more than 35 years, on Friday morning. 

“Yesterday my high school sweetheart, the love of my life for over 35 years, the loving mother of our 4 children, the smartest kindest woman I ever knew, my beautiful and wise queen forever, Rhonda went to Heaven,” he posted on the social platform X, alongside photos of him and his wife.  

Massie, 53, said the couple went to prom together. They both attended Lewis County High School.

They also attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology together, where she received a mechanical engineering degree.

Massie first won election to the House in 2012, representing Kentucky’s 4th Congressional District. He did not release details on his wife’s cause of death in the post. 

In 1993, Thomas and Rhonda Massie co-founded SensAble Devices, which allowed users to feel digital objects that appeared on a screen. They sold the company in 2003.

Fellow elected officials also took to X to share their condolences. 

This is truly heartbreaking,” Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) replied to Massie’s post. “I didn’t know Rhonda well, but I know her husband. And based on that alone, and on what you’ve told me about her, I know she was an amazing woman.”

Fellow Kentuckian Kelly Paul, the wife of Sen. Rand Paul’s (R-Ky.), posted on X that, “Rhonda was a brilliant woman and a beautiful soul. She brought love and joy to all who knew her. Rand and I are praying for you and your family Thomas.”

“I am deeply saddened by the passing of Rhonda Massie, the beloved wife of my friend and colleague, Thomas Massie. Rhonda’s warmth, kindness, and dedication to her family and community touched everyone who had the privilege of knowing her,” Rep. Andy Barr (R-Ky.) also wrote on X. Barr’s wife died unexpectedly in 2020.