• Former United States senator from Massachusetts Edward Brooke was the first African-American elected by popular vote to the U.S. Senate. He took office in 1966 and remained the sole African American elected to the Senate until 1993. Brooke served two terms and lost his third bid for re-election to Paul Tsongas largely as a result of a loss of favor with his constituency due to a vitriolic divorce.

• Fast Facts

  1. Born: October 26, 1919
  2. Birthplace: Washington, D.C.
  3. Current residence: Miami, Florida
  4. Full Name: Edward William Brooke
  5. College career: Howard University and Boston University Law School
  6. Spouse: Anne Brooke
  7. Children: Two daughters and a son
  8. First wife: Remigia Ferrari-Scacco
  9. Senator from Massachusetts: January 3, 1967 – January 3, 1979

• Barbara Walters Affair

  On May 1, 2008, television personality Barbara Walters confided to talk show host Oprah Winfrey that she had been involved in a sexual affair with Brooke in the 1970s. Walters was interviewed by Winfrey about her memoir Audition, which details her public and private life. When asked by Winfrey if she was in love with Brooke, Walters replied, "I was certainly — I don’t know — I was certainly infatuated. I was certainly involved. He was exciting. He was brilliant. It was exciting times in Washington."

• Related Mahalo Pages

  Barbara Walters | Barbara Walters Edward Brooke Affair | Marilyn Gavin Rossdale

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