Ady Barkan who first rose to prominence for leading the Fed Up campaign in 2014 has been reported dead aged 39. How he died, his bio, fortune, and more explored.
Ady Barkan had a thriving career as an attorney and an activist.
He was a co-founder of the Be a Hero PAC and was an organizer for the Center for Popular Democracy, where he led the Fed Up campaign.
He was notable for campaigning for Medicare while struggling with ALS.
In October 2023, the world learned about his passing and following that, many want to know more about his life, career, what he was diagnosed with, and fortune. Read on for more.
Who was Ady Barkan?
Ady Barkan was an American lawyer and liberal activist who was best known for being a co-founder of the Be A Hero PAC.
He was also an organiser for the Center for Popular Democracy, where he led the Fed Up campaign that brought him to national attention in 2014.
Born on December 18, 1983, in Boston, Massachusetts, to immigrant parents from Romania and Israel, Ady went on to study at Columbia University and Yale University.
In 2017, he went viral for confronting Senator Jeff Flake on a plane, in which he asked him to “be a hero” by voting no on a tax bill that threatened cuts to Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security.
Ady was also an author.
He wrote his memoir Eyes To The Wind in 2019.
It details his reaction to his diagnosis as well as his commitment to social justice for all.
Ady died on Wednesday, November 1, 2023, at the age of 39.
When was Ady Barkan diagnosed with ALS?
Ady was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, in 2016.
ALS is a terminal neurodegenerative disease.
He was 32 when he got the diagnosis, which came after a neurologist examined the stiffness in his left hand and said he should get tested.
Ady decided to pursue every medical option available to him, but there weren’t many, so he eventually used his affliction to his advantage.
As the disease rapidly progresses, Ady turned his body into a campaign tool, laying it in front of members of Congress, news cameras, and activists to inspire action for health care and immigrants.
Ending up in a motorised wheelchair meant that officers could no longer handcuff him when he was arrested in the US Capitol building since he had lost nearly all his capacity for movement.
What was Ady Barkan’s cause of death?
Ady died of complications from ALS disease at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital, following his terminal diagnosis in 2016.
ALS patients gradually lose the ability to walk, move, eat, and eventually breathe.
Ady’s death was announced by his wife via his X/Twitter page on Wednesday, November 1, 2023.
It read: “Hi all, this is Ady’s wife, Rachael. I’m devastated to share the news that Ady has died from complications of ALS.
“You probably knew Ady as a healthcare activist. But more importantly he was a wonderful dad and my life partner for 18 years.”
Be A Hero also released a statement which read: “It’s with deep sadness that we announce the death of our co-founder and co-executive director, @AdyBarkan, at age 39 due to ALS-related complications. Ady will continue to be at the heart of Be A Hero and what we do here for years to come.”
Senator Elizabeth Warren has shared a touching tribute to Ady Barkan. Taking to X, she wrote: “Ady Barkan was a hero who made this world a better place. I’m grateful for his years of friendship and my heart is with Rachael, Willow, and Carl tonight.”
Democratic politician Bernie Sanders has paid tribute to Aday Barkan. He took to X and said: “Ady Barkan was an inspiration to all of us. There are very few people in this country who have done more to make health care a human right. To honor his life, let us dedicate ourselves to completing his work.”
Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi has paid tribute to Ady Barkan following his passing.
Taking to X, she wrote: “We are heartbroken by Ady Barkan’s passing. No one worked smarter to advance the principle that health care is a right, not a privilege. It was an honor to be with Ady at the FDR 4 Freedoms Awards last month. He always urged us: Be A Hero. Ady, you are mine. RIP dear friend.”
What was Ady Barkan’s net worth?
Per several online outlets, Ady Barkan died a millionaire. He reportedly had millions of dollars at the time of his death.
He accumulated an estimated net worth of between $1 million and $5 million.
He accrued his fortune from his primary profession as an American lawyer and liberal activist. He was the co-founder of the Be a Hero PAC and was an organizer for the Center for Popular Democracy.