Rest in power!
Midwin Charles, the prominent attorney and legal analyst, died Tuesday at 47, her family announced via social media.
“It is with a profoundly heavy heart and the deepest sadness that we announce the untimely passing of our beloved Midwin Charles,” her family wrote on Instagram.” She was known to many as a legal commentator on television, but to us, she was a devoted daughter, sister, aunt, niece, and cousin. Our lives are forever changed, and we will miss her for a lifetime.
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Charles was born July 17, 1973, in Brooklyn, New York, to Haitian parents. She earned her bachelor’s degree in international relations and African-American studies from Syracuse University in 1995. She then went on to study law at the American University Washington College of Law in Washington, D.C., where she was an Articles Editor for the American University Law Review. She and graduated in 1999.
Following law school, she served as a law clerk for U.S. Court of Appeals for Sixth Circuit Judge Eric L. Clay and as the A. Leon Higginbotham, Jr. Research Fellow in Social Justice at Harvard Law School, under the supervision of Charles J. Ogletree, Jr. Charles was an associate at Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP. The sought-after legal commentator was a defense attorney and the founder of the law firm Midwin Charles & Associates.
According to her website, she contributed to Essence Magazine and was a commentator on CNN, HLN, MSNBC, Bloomberg TV, and other media outlets. She would also lend her legal expertise to CNN for “In Session,” and MSNBC’s “The Reidout.”
People were shocked by her untimely passing and took to the internet to express their condolences. Across social media, her peers and fans shared how they missed her.
This is so, so hard. @MidwinCharles — my Haitian sis — was a brilliant mind and a beautiful person who worked so hard. Her voice and presence will be deeply missed. https://t.co/BSWQxdV0xr pic.twitter.com/QxqjGe5XS6
advertisement— Yamiche Alcindor (@Yamiche) April 7, 2021
Midwin dear heart, you were a brilliant spirit and beautiful soul. You were such a blessing. I’m just stunned, and have been since I learned of this today. Blessings to your mom and family. To all, please live every moment like it’s your last, and OVER-appreciate your friends. ♀️ https://t.co/2VpH3QKD2s pic.twitter.com/IYZrHPGaUL
advertisement— Joy-Ann Pro-Democracy & Masks Reid (@JoyAnnReid) April 7, 2021
Midwin Charles was a colleague, a friend and a frequent contributor to my show #NextNation
advertisementLearning tonight of her untimely passing stopped me in my tracks.
My deepest condolences to her family and all who experienced her gift. She was a beacon for justice. @MidwinCharles pic.twitter.com/Vm5hfPXVgc
— Sylvia K. Alston (@SylviaKAlston) April 7, 2021
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Devastated at the loss of my sister and friend. Hurting. https://t.co/do4aPGPq99
— G O L D I E. (@goldietaylor) April 7, 2021
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I am heartbroken learn about the passing of Midwin Charles. Rest in power my sister. I’ll miss your smile, brilliant legal mind and your friendship. #Midwin https://t.co/XW53DpvXHj pic.twitter.com/vLNk8PJWGr
— Vladimir Duthiers (@vladduthiersCBS) April 7, 2021
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I’m shocked and stunned to learn of the death today on legal analyst @MidwinCharles. Midwin was a brilliant sister. A top notch legal mind. And a sweet woman. We are all saddened by this news. She was just 47 years old. pic.twitter.com/XinxOF2XjQ
— rolandsmartin (@rolandsmartin) April 7, 2021
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R.I.P. Midwin Charles
Absolutely devastating. 49 years young. A black woman who was a real force. Not just on television but in the real world. Fought the good fight, an incredible role model, and just watch how Midwin did her thing. Crushing.
advertisement— Don Lewis (@DonLew87) April 7, 2021
This is one of my favorite moments from Midwin Charles on @SXMUrbanView. It was the week of Biden’s inauguration & she was shutting down the hate toward VP Kamala Harris. She also called out Justice Clarence Thomas.
I am going to miss her so much. pic.twitter.com/MSWnRLdiea
— Clay ‘Didn’t Hold My Vote Hostage’ Cane (@claycane) April 7, 2021
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This one hit really hard today. Rest in Power Sis @MidwinCharles ❤️ https://t.co/S9WIUafqVF
— Karine Jean-Pierre (@K_JeanPierre) April 7, 2021
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I’m saddened to learn of the death of Midwin Charles. My heart goes out to those mourning her here and to her family. From what people are sharing, her life was a light that brightened the way for others. Well-lived.
— Be A King (@BerniceKing) April 7, 2021
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Oh my god!
To her family: My deepest sympathies and condolences during this time mourning. Please know she touched so many and was a clear voice in these dark times.
advertisementI am so, so sorry.
— Melissa_In_DC (@MelissaNtheEast) April 7, 2021
I am so incredibly sorry to hear this. I respected her so much. What a devastating loss of a beautiful soul. I am so sorry for your family’s tremendous loss.
— Laura Coates (@thelauracoates) April 7, 2021
Absolutely devastated to read this. Sending light, love, and comfort to the entire family.
— Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta (@malcolmkenyatta) April 7, 2021
Midwin, you were brilliant, fierce lawyer & analyst as well as a funny and warm soul. The law & legal analyst community will miss you as your family, friends and all the lives you touched. This is the last time we saw each other March 2019 doing @karenhuntershow @SXMUrbanView pic.twitter.com/ByeZ1SwP40
— (@exavierpope) April 7, 2021
Absolutely devastating news. Sending love and condolences to her family.
— uché blackstock, md (@uche_blackstock) April 7, 2021
Oh my goodness. I am so, SO sorry for this loss. Condolences to Midwin’s family. Midwin was always such a joy to watch & listen to. She will truly be missed
— Reagan Gomez (@ReaganGomez) April 7, 2021
She is survived by her mother, Antonia Charles, and sister, Mitzie Charles, among extended family.
We have lost a gem, but her memory will live on in the hearts of those she touched.
Photo Credit: BET