The New York Times reports that The District of Columbia’s Medical Examiner’s office ruled the cause to be heart disease.
The legislator was elected four times and served as a council member in the District for 15 years. Barry, once head of the city’s Board of Education, is known for his community work and activism, however, his political career was often marred by drug scandal.
He was arrested after a 1990 law enforcement surveillance tape showed him using crack cocaine in a drug sting involving the FBI and Washington police, and once the footage was televised, his reputation took a major dive. He was convicted of possession and served six months in prison.
However, he was able to triumph over the scandal, and was re-elected as mayor in 1995. He would again serve on the City Council in 2004.
Former Harvard professor and civil rights leader Cornell West told CNN Barry “had his flaws” but was a “great freedom fighter” for the poor and disenfranchised.