Eliot Engel, the influential 16-term U.S. Representative from New York and former Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, died on April 10, 2026, at the age of 79. A powerhouse of American diplomacy, Engel rose from a Bronx housing project to become a defining voice in global human rights and Middle East policy.

Born in the Bronx to Sylvia and Philip Engel, an ironworker, he grew up in a city housing project. He remained a lifelong resident of the borough and was known for his deep ties to his local community. He graduated from the Bronx campus of Hunter College, now Lehman College, with a Bachelor of Arts in history. He later earned a Master of Science in guidance and counseling from Lehman College of the City University of New York and received his Juris Doctor from New York Law School after attending classes in the evenings. Before entering politics, he served as a teacher and guidance counselor within the New York City public school system. Governor Kathy Hochul noted his deep connection to his home in a statement to Westfair Online, stating, "The son of Ukrainian-Jewish immigrants, Eliot Engel brought the best of the Bronx to Congress. I had the honor of serving alongside Eliot, who fought tirelessly for the people he served."

His political career began with a special election to the New York State Assembly, where he served the 81st district for eleven years. In 1988, he won his first election to the U.S. House of Representatives. Over 16 consecutive terms, he became the longest-serving member of the New York congressional delegation. He never forgot his district, securing millions in federal funds for senior housing, school repairs, and mass transit improvements. He also successfully introduced legislation designating October as Italian American Cultural and Heritage Month.

The Bronx teacher eventually shaped the map of the world. He served as the Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee for six years prior to becoming Chairman from 2019 to 2021. In this role, he oversaw critical global policy. He co-authored the Harkin-Engel Protocol, a landmark international agreement aimed at eliminating child labor in the cocoa industry. He was a leading advocate for human rights in the Balkans and was instrumental in supporting the independence of Kosovo. He authored the Syrian Accountability and Lebanese Sovereignty Restoration Act to address regional security concerns and sponsored the resolution that recognized Jerusalem as the undivided capital of Israel. He was recognized by the governments of Italy and Mexico for his work in international relations and cultural advocacy.

As Chairman, he played a central role in the 2019 impeachment inquiry, managing key depositions and hearings, according to The Washington Post. He also founded and co-chaired the House Oil and National Security Caucus to promote energy-efficient alternatives to oil. He was a member of the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force and the Bipartisan Task Force for Combatting Anti-Semitism. His worldview was anchored by a strong moral compass. He once declared, "Too small is our world to allow discrimination, bigotry and intolerance to thrive in any corner of it, let alone in the United States of America."

He shared his life with his wife, Patricia Ennis Engel, and their three children, Julia, Jonathan, and Philip. He passed away at a hospital in the Bronx. His family confirmed to the Times Union that the cause of death was complications related to Parkinson's disease.

The Bronx Diplomat leaves behind a 44-year legacy of public service that bridged the gap between local community needs and international diplomacy. From the classrooms of New York City to the highest echelons of global policy, his trajectory was a testament to the power of grounded, compassionate leadership. He fought tirelessly for the vulnerable, whether they were children in distant cocoa fields or seniors in his own district. His memory will endure as a powerful reminder that true statesmanship requires both a global vision and a heart that never leaves home.