TRINIDAD: Former Prime Minister, Basdeo Panday, dies at age 90

Basdeo Panday, the former Prime Minister of the twin island republic Trinidad and Tobago has died at the age of 90.

His passing was confirmed by his daughter Mickela via social media on January 1, 2024.

“With deep sorrow, we would like to share that our loving husband and father, Basdeo Panday, passed away on 1st January 2024, surrounded by his family.

In life and death he was a fighter. He passed with his boots on, keeping everybody around him on their toes with his wit and humour. He will live on in all of us, remembered as a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, leader, and friend. He was an inspiration to his family and everybody that knew him. We will continue to celebrate his life and treasure the time we were able to spend with him.”

Panday was married to Oma Panday. He had four daughters: Niala, Mickela, Nicola and Vastala. Niala was born to his first wife, Norma Panday, who died in 1981.

Panday had suffered heart issues, undergoing triple bypass surgery in 1989 and an angioplasty procedure in 1995.

On December 14, 2023, his family issued a statement regarding his health. They said that, after consultation with his doctors in Trinidad and Tobago, Panday travelled to the US to investigate medical concerns about his health.

Panday served as PM of Trinidad and Tobago from 1995 to 2001.