Former White House press secretary Jim Brady dies

The family of Jim Brady, who lived in Rehoboth Beach for years, said he has died. Brady was 73. 

The former White House press secretary suffered a paralyzing head wound during a 1981 assassination attempt on President Ronald Reagan outside of a hotel in Washington, D.C. 

The tragic events of that day set in motion a decades-long battle for gun control laws, spearheaded by Brady and his wife Sarah. Their personal crusade resulted in the Brady Law, a federal law requiring background checks on buyers purchasing guns from federally licensed dealers. 

The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence is named in his honor.

Longtime visitors of Delaware’s beaches, the Bradys bought a vacation condominium in Dewey Beach after they were married in 1973. They loved the ocean so much, they decided to retire in Rehoboth. 

Delaware Gov. Jack Markell extended his deepest sympathies.

“My heart goes out to Sarah and the Brady family. I first met Jim in 1979, when we shared a small office while I was serving as an intern to Sen. William Roth in Washington, D.C. Jim was a wonderful person with a great sense of humor. Later in life, I was honored to reconnect with Jim as he and Sarah made their home in Sussex County for many years. Jim’s grit and determination were always evident.”

When WHYY interviewed the couple in January 2011, their Rehoboth home overlooking Silver Lake was for sale. Sarah Brady said the pair needed to downsize, but that they had no intention of leaving Delaware.

WHYY-TV’s story with the Brady’s aired on First on Jan. 28, 2011.