Biography

Jesse Helms was born on October 18, 1921 in Monroe, North Carolina, USA. He was married to Dorothy Jane Coble. He died on July 4, 2008 in Raleigh, North Carolina, USA.

Both of his parents, both of his grandfathers, four of his great-grandparents, five of his great-great-grandparents, and seven of his great-great-great-grandparents bore the surname Helms.

U.S. senator from North Carolina (3 January 1973 - 3 January 2003).

Due to recurring health problems, including bone disorder, prostate cancer and heart disease, Helms did not seek re-election in 2002. In April 2006 it was revealed that he had vascular dementia.

Fervently pro-smoking, he quit smoking unfiltered Lucky Strikes in 1992 after undergoing heart surgery.

Inducted into the Raleigh [North Carolina] Hall of Fame in 2006.

Democracy used to be a good thing, but now it has gotten into the wrong hands.