Sandy Berger, who served as Bill Clinton's national security adviser during his second term, died this morning at the age of 70. The consulting firm that he co-founded, the Albright Stonebridge Group, reported the news, saying he lost his battle with cancer, according to the Los Angeles Times.
"Our country is stronger because of Sandy's deep and abiding commitment to public service, and there are countless people whose lives he changed for the better. I am certainly one of them," said Berger's colleague and former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright.
"He was one of my dearest friends and among the wisest people I have ever met," she added. "I will always treasure our decades-long partnership, both in and out of government, and I will be forever proud of what we accomplished together."
Other influential figures took to Twitter to mourn his passing.
"V sad start to day; just learned Sandy Berger passed away during the night. Good man & friend who served nation well as bill clinton's NSA," tweeted Richard Haas, president of the Council on Foreign Relations.
"So sad to learn of the passing of my friend Sandy Berger. He served our country well. Patriot, humanitarian, American. RIP," tweeted former Clinton adviser Paul Begala.
Berger had a prolific career, working as the White House's national security adviser from 1997 to 2001, including the period when the Clinton administration carried out Operation Desert Fox in December 1998 and airstrikes in Kosovo in 1999. He remained active in foreign policy circles even after Clinton left office.
Despite all this, there was a bit of controversy in his career as well, according to the Hill.
In 2005, Berger pleaded guilty to removing classified documents from the National Archives, which detailed terror plots against the U.S. during the Clinton administration, and intentionally destroying them. He was sentenced to community service and probation, and was issued a $50,000 fine.
Berger is survived by his wife Susan along with three children and five grandchildren.
