James Abourezk, the former Democrat United States Senator from South Dakota, died on Friday at the age of 92. He was married to Sanaa Dieb, a prominent Sioux Falls restaurant owner and chef.
Abourezk was the first Arab American to serve in the United States Senate, serving from 1973 to 1979. He was a Democrat who was well-known for his support for Native American rights and his opposition to the Vietnam War. He was raised in South Dakota and is of Lebanese descent.
He was a Vietnam War opponent known for his efforts to end US involvement in the conflict. From 1973 to 1979, he served in the United States Senate and was a vocal opponent of the war, working to pass legislation that would end US military involvement in Vietnam.
Who is Sanaa Dieb?
Dieb and the former Senator met at an embassy event in Washington, DC, and married in 1991. He had previously married twice, first to Mary Ann Houlton and then to Margaret Bethea. He is survived by his children Charles Abourezk, Nikki Pipe On Head, Paul Abourezk, Alya Abourezk, and stepdaughter Chelsea Machado, in addition to Dieb. He had three children with his first wife and one with Dieb.
According to reports, when Dieb met Abourezk, she was not a restauranteur. They were married for several years before she relocated to Sioux Falls to open her award-winning restaurant. There are no further details about her life or relationship with the former senator.
