Retired Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, the first woman to serve on the court and a trailblazer, died on Friday in Phoenix at the age of 93. The cause of O’Connor’s death was listed in a court statement as complications from severe dementia, most likely Alzheimer’s, and a respiratory ailment. Following her dementia diagnosis in 2018, she withdrew from public life.

O’Connor made history as the first female justice when she was appointed by President Ronald Reagan in 1981. She was a critical swing vote in several of the court’s difficult cases during her 24-year term, particularly those involving abortion and affirmative action.

Also read | Who is Hani Shaib? UMass Amherst student arrested at a campus pro-Hamas protest, accused Israel of genocide

More than 15 years after O’Connor’s retirement, the conservative majority on the Supreme Court eventually reversed historic rulings affirming racial preferences in college admissions and acknowledging the constitutional right to an abortion.

Sandra Day O’Connor was raised on the family’s cattle ranch, the “Lazy B,” in southeast Arizona. She was born in El Paso, Texas, in 1930. She was remarkably admitted to Stanford University at the age of sixteen, and in 1952, she completed her degree from Stanford Law in two years, one year ahead of the required three years.

Sandra Day O’Connor met John Jay O’Connor, her future husband while attending law school. John Jay O’Connor passed away in 2009 as a result of complications from Alzheimer’s disease.

Also read | Who was Sandra Day O’ Connor? First female US Supreme Court judge dies at 93

As the news of her death made the headlines, several people were interested in her personal life. They had three children – Scott O’Connor, Brian O’Connor, and Jay O’Connor.

Who is Scott O’Connor?

Sandra Day O’Connor’s eldest son Scott O’Connor was born in 1957. He practices law and raises cattle. He has two kids and is married. 

Who is Brian O’Connor?

The middle son of Sandra Day O’Connor, Brian O’Connor was born in 1959. He works as a businessman and an attorney. Brian has three kids and is married.

Also read | Who was Major Kevin McCool? 32-year-old British soldier killed in Kenya

Who is Jay O’Connor?

Jay O’Connor, born in 1962, is the youngest son of Sandra Day O’Connor. He is an attorney by profession and is married with two children.