'My heart is heavy': Nikki Haley announces her father's death on Father's Day
WASHINGTON — Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley announced the death of her father, Ajit Singh Randhawa, on Sunday, sharing in a message on Father's Day that he was the "smartest, sweetest, kindest, most decent man I have ever known."
In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Haley shared a picture of her hugging her father and wrote, “My heart is heavy knowing he is gone.”
“He taught his kids the importance of faith, hard work, and grace," she added. "He was an amazing husband of 64 years, a loving grandfather and great grandfather, and the best father to his four children. He was such a blessing to all of us. Happy Father’s Day Dad. We will miss you dearly.”
Nikki Haley’s family moved to Bamberg, South Carolina, in 1969 from Canada. There, Randhawa had been hired to teach biology at nearby Voorhees College, a historically Black institution.
During her 2024 presidential run, Haley frequently brought up her parents.
“I see America leading the world in freedom and in peace. But this vision isn’t just mine,” Haley told the crowd in Charleston, South Carolina, in February when she announced her run. “It's the core of our nation’s history, and it called to my parents over 50 years ago. I am the proud daughter of Indian immigrants.”
Haley dropped out of the 2024 race in March.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Nikki Haley announces her father's death on Father's Day
