Former New York Gov. Mario Cuomo Is Dead at 82

Legendary New York political figure Mario Cuomo died Thursday, Jan. 1, of heart failure. Cuomo served three terms as the governor of New York and died not long after his son, Andrew Cuomo, was sworn in for a second term as governor. According to a statement released by his family, Cuomo died surrounded by family.

The New York Post was one of the first outlets to announce the sad news, saying:

"Cuomo, who had been ill for months, was 82, and his death came just hours after his son, Andrew, was inaugurated for a second term in his father's old job. Daughter Madeline Cuomo said her dad died in his Manhattan home at 5:15 p.m., and noted that those were 'his lucky numbers.'

"I think he waited until after Andrew's swearing-in," she added.

"He had been receiving hospice care in his Sutton Place apartment, and the cause appeared related to recent heart troubles, sources said."

Cuomo, during his heyday, was popular for his eloquence and ability to use his humble beginnings as a way to connect with people and then drive home his points in order to facilitate change. He was also dubbed the "Hamlet on the Hudson" because of his internal struggle over whether or not to run for president in the 1988 and '92 races. He backed out at the last minute in 1991, paving the way for a fairly unknown candidate named Bill Clinton to sneak in and grab the Democratic nomination.

Cuomo's legacy is long and his name not only lives on, but it is still at work for the greater good of the state he loved, thanks to his son opting to serve a second term in office.

Readers: What are your fondest moments on the late governor? Comment below.

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Dead, RIP, Bill Clinton