Political heiress dies in 'incredibly painful' circumstances aged just 55 after failed election bid and ugly squabble over family fortune

By LAUREN ACTON-TAYLOR, US NEWS REPORTER Published: 21:55, 7 July 2026 | Updated: 21:55, 7 July 2026 Renata Ford, the widow of the controversial former Toronto mayor Rob Ford, has died aged just 55 years old, as her family say the loss of the mother-of-two is 'incredibly painful.' Premier Doug Ford, Renata's brother-in-law, announced the family's tragic loss in a statement on Monday night.  'My heart breaks for Stephanie and Dougie,' he said. 'They've been through so much at such young ages, and losing their mom is incredibly painful.' 'Our whole family is hurting for them. We ask that people respect their privacy during this very difficult time.' Renata's death, the cause of which remains unclear, came after the 55-year-old made a political bid in 2019 as the candidate for the People's Party of Canada in Etobicoke.  Her fourth place finish in the electoral race followed a $15 million CAD ($10m USD) lawsuit against her late husband's brothers, including the premier, over the family's fortune.  Renata alleged in the filing that they had mismanaged family assets and her husband's estate, which the premier has denied, CTV News reported. The Ontario Liberal Party extended their condolences to Premier Ford and his family in a statement on X that said: 'We are thinking of them during this difficult time and wish them strength and comfort in the days ahead.' Renata Ford, the widow of former Toronto mayor Rob Ford, has died aged just 55 years old, as her family say the loss of the mother-of-two is 'incredibly painful' Rob Ford served as mayor from 2010 to 2014 before he became clouded by controversy after a video appeared to show the then-mayor smoking from a crack pipe Premier Doug Ford, Renata's brother-in-law, announced the family's tragic loss in a statement on Monday night In a statement on Tuesday, the New Blue Party of Ontario said Renata had been a supporter of the party 'who once boldly stated that New Blue was 'the real Conservative Party of Ontario.'  'More importantly, she was an advocate for freedom and the grassroots. We will continue to fight for those same values. Our prayers are also with her children, who have now lost both parents far too young,' the party added.  Rhona Jubenville wrote on social media that she was 'very saddened' to hear of Renata's passing.  'She personally supported me on my bid in Provincial politics with the New Blue Party of Ontario. She stood for truth, democracy and justice. May she rest in eternal peace,' she wrote.   Mark Towhey, the former chief of staff to Renata's husband, told Newstalk 1010 that Renata's death 'came out of the blue.' 'I was quite surprised, it came out of the blue last night. She was quite young,' he said.  'I am thinking immediately of her two kids who I knew as very small children. Stephanie would be running around the office leading her brother into mischief whenever they came to visit. 'They are now 20 and 18 I think, so it has to be a very difficult time for them particularly and I hope the family kind of coalesces around them...she will certainly be missed by her children.' Renata's death, the cause of which remains unclear, came after the 55-year-old made a political bid in 2019 as the candidate for the People's Party of Canada in Etobicoke Widow Renata is seen receiving a kiss from her son Dougie at the funeral of former Toronto mayor Rob Ford, who died from an aggressive form of cancer in 2016 Renata filed a $15 million lawsuit accusing her late husband's brothers of mismanagement of  family assets and her husband's estate. The premier has denied the accusations Towhey continued on to described Renata as a 'fairly private person' who had kept her distance from the public stage during her husband's political career.   Rob Ford, whom she married in 2000, served as mayor from 2010 to 2014 between service as a city councilor both before and after. During his time as mayor, Renata was known to predominantly avoid the spotlight and very little was known about her personal life. Her husband's political career became clouded with controversy following a video which appeared to show the then-mayor smoking from a crack pipe. The former mayor initially denied the accusations before the involvement of law enforcement. 'Yes, I have smoked crack cocaine,' he told reporters. 'But, no, do I? Am I [an] addict? No. Have I tried it? Probably in one of my drunken stupors, probably approximately a year ago.' Rob Ford was never charged with a crime and, despite pressure, he refused to resign until his health decline forced him to drop his bid for re-election and resume his City Council seat. His death at 46 followed a tireless battle with pleomorphic liposarcoma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer, in 2016.