Former Oregon Gov. Neil Goldschmidt, who served as mayor of Portland and was known for his contributions to the city's development, has passed away at the age of 83 at his Portland home. The cause of death was reported as heart failure.
Goldschmidt, elected as the youngest mayor of a major American city in 1972, played a significant role in transforming Portland. He converted a busy highway into a riverfront park and laid the groundwork for a robust public transit system. However, his legacy was marred by a scandal involving an illegal sexual relationship with a teenage girl, which was revealed years later.
After serving as mayor, Goldschmidt went on to become President Jimmy Carter's transportation secretary and later served as Oregon governor from 1987 to 1991. He announced his separation from his wife in 1990 and did not seek re-election, citing personal reasons.
In 2004, Goldschmidt admitted to the sexual relationship with the teenage girl, which began when she was 14. The revelation led to his withdrawal from public life and a tarnished reputation. The victim later disclosed that the abuse had lasting effects on her life, contributing to struggles with substance abuse.
Despite his accomplishments in office, including reforms in workers' compensation and international trade initiatives, Goldschmidt's reputation never fully recovered from the scandal. His portrait was moved from a prominent location in the state Capitol to storage at the state historical society.
Following his political career, Goldschmidt remained active in community service, founding the Oregon Children's Foundation and volunteering for literacy programs in schools. He is survived by his second wife, Diana Snowden, their daughter, two children from a previous marriage, and a stepchild.
