The former Labour cabinet minister Tessa Jowell has died aged 70, her family has said.
Dame Tessa was diagnosed with a glioblastoma multiforme brain tumour in May last year. She suffered a haemorrhage on Friday and had been in a coma until her death on Saturday, a spokesman for the family said.
The prime minister Theresa May, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and former prime minister Tony Blair led tributes to Jowell on Sunday morning, alongside former cabinet colleagues and MPs who praised her work on Sure Start, a flagship scheme to support children in the early years, her success in bringing the Olympic Games to London and her later campaigning on cancer research.
Jowell died peacefully at the family home near Shipston-on-Stour in Warwickshire just after 10pm on Saturday with her husband David and their children Jessie and Matthew by her side.
The 'people politician': Tessa Jowell obituary Read more
The family announced the death “with great sadness, and an enormous sense of loss”.
“In addition to chemotherapy and radiotherapy, in recent months doctors tried innovative new treatments which Tessa gladly embraced, but sadly the tumour recently progressed very quickly,” they said in a statement.
“The family would like to thank people for the overwhelming support Tessa and they have received since she became ill. They have been touched and moved by the response, in both houses of parliament; from members of the public; and other cancer patients and their families around the world.”
There will be a small private funeral in the coming days and a memorial service open to all at a later date.
May paid tribute to Jowell on Sunday, praising her “lifetime of public service”.
Theresa May (@theresa_may) The dignity and courage with which Dame Tessa Jowell confronted her illness was humbling and it was inspirational. My sympathies to her loving family - Dame Tessa’s campaigning on brain cancer research is a lasting tribute to a lifetime of public service. pic.twitter.com/4KIULm0Stb
Corbyn also tweeted his condolences, praising Jowell’s huge achievements, including her Olympics legacy.
Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) Devastating to hear the news of Tessa Jowell's death. From Councillor to Cabinet Minister, her achievements were huge, including helping to bring the Olympics to London. Her strength in raising awareness of her illness and fighting for better treatment for others inspired us all
Blair said: “Tessa had passion, determination and simple human decency in greater measure than any person I have ever known. She was an inspiration to work with, and a joy to be near.
“She was the most wise of counsellors, the most loyal and supportive of colleagues, and the best of friends. There was no one like Tessa and no one better. I will miss her more than I can say.”
Tessa Jowell: ‘I’m most proud of setting up Sure Start’ Read more
As culture secretary in Blair’s government, Jowell oversaw the UK’s drive to win the 2012 Olympic Games for London. She was one of only a handful of MPs to have served as a minister during the whole of Blair’s and Gordon Brown’s premierships.
Lord David Blunkett, Jowell’s Labour cabinet colleague, called her “one of my closest friends for over 40 years” and said they had worked together to develop an alternative to Old Labour, as well as praising her commitment to Sure Start, which led to the creation of 3,500 children’s centres across the country.
“It will be Tessa as a person who I will remember,” he said. “There when people needed her, both personally and also with her political hat on, and with her bravery over the last year, always thinking of others.”
She stepped down as MP for Dulwich and West Norwood in 2015 and ran as a candidate for the Labour nomination for mayor of London, but was beaten by Sadiq Khan.
Helen Hayes MP, who succeeded Jowell in Dulwich and West Norwood, called her legacy extraordinary. “Tessa is much-loved across the constituency, for the things she delivered but perhaps even more for her deep empathy and compassion, and the way that she worked collaboratively to empower others,” she said. “Life is now better and fairer in our part of south London because Tessa put people first.”
Jowell announced she had brain cancer last September. In a statement, she said: “I’m in treatment at the moment ... and look forward to finding ways to make better, longer lives for people with cancer.”
Play Video 4:30 Tessa Jowell: former Labour MP delivers moving speech on brain cancer diagnosis – video
She was hailed as an inspiration during a cancer debate in the Commons last month. Jowell had come to the House of Commons to meet the health secretary, Jeremy Hunt, and his Labour shadow, Jon Ashworth, to continue her campaign for better support and access and more research to clinical trials for brain cancer patients.
Hunt said he was devastated to hear about her death, calling Jowell “quite simply the bravest and the best”.
Jeremy Hunt (@Jeremy_Hunt) Devastated to hear we have lost @TessaJowell. She was quite simply the bravest and the best & brought magic to whatever she touched whether SureStarts, London 2012 or campaigning for those who like her were battling with incurable cancer. RIP
In January, she received a standing ovation – breaking parliamentary protocol – in the House of Lords after giving a moving speech about her cancer in which she urged peers to support an international initiative to share resources, research and new treatments.
Sarah Lindsell, the chief executive of the Brain Tumour Charity, said: “Tessa Jowell’s courage, her spirit and her determination to help others in the face of her own illness – particularly through her extraordinarily brave and powerful speech in the House of Lords – will not be forgotten.
“We will be among those working every day to keep the promise she made, to improve life for everyone diagnosed with a brain tumour.”
The former Labour cabinet minister Tessa Jowell has died following brain cancer aged 70. Jowell was one of only a handful of MPs to have served as a minister during the whole of Tony Blair’s and Gordon Brown’s premierships and helped secure the UK’s successful bid to host the 2012 Olympic Games
Baroness Jowell - pictured visiting the Commons chamber last month - has died aged 70
Tessa Jowell's daughter-in-law Ella Mills has revealed the heartrending moment the former Labour MP died 'in the arms' of her family after her fight with brain cancer.
The 70-year-old was held by her husband and two children, who told her she would 'live forever in their soul'.
Dame Tessa's last touching moments were revealed by Mrs Mills, founder of the Deliciously Ella brand and husband to Dame Tessa's son Matthew.
Writing on Instagram, she added: 'She was lying in Matt, his sister Jess, and their Dad's arms, as they told her that she would live forever in the centre of their souls.
'I've never seen love like I have since becoming part of this family. Tessa was the warmest and kindest soul, she welcomed me so generously into their family, and no matter what she has achieved in her life - and she achieved an extraordinary amount - I know her family are the thing that made her most proud.
They were the complete core of her life and I'm honored to be part of it. Thank you for giving me Matt, Tessa, and for teaching us all so much about love, kindness, optimism and courage.
'The bravery you showed this past year was like nothing I have ever seen and I will be inspired by it every day of my life. Matt carries every bit of your goodness, drive, compassion and love, and I'll look after him forever.'
Among those to pay tribute to the 'tenacious politician was former Prime Minister Tony Blair, who described her as 'the most wise of counsellors, the most loyal and supportive of colleagues, and the best of friends'.
He added: 'There was no-one like Tessa and no-one better. I will miss her more than I can say.
'My thoughts and prayers, and those of Cherie and all the family, are with David and her wonderful family of whom she was justly very proud.'
Baroness Jowell brought her fellow peers to tears and received the first ever standing ovation in the House of Lords as she told of her diagnosis and fight to improve care in January.
Last month, the Labour peer made an emotional return to the House of Commons to hear MPs across the political divide praise the 'bravery' and courage of her battle against cancer.
Prime Minister Theresa May has said the dignity and courage with which Dame Tessa confronted her illness was 'humbling' and 'inspirational', adding that her campaigning on brain cancer research was 'a lasting tribute to a lifetime of public service'.
Scroll down for video
Tessa Jowell is pictured on April 19 with serving Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt and Shadow Health Secretary Jon Ashworth
Ella Mills, founder of the Deliciously Ella brand and husband to Dame Tessa's son Matthew, revealed that her mother-in-law died while in the arms of her closest family members
Lady Jowell is pictured with her daughter Jessie, right, and her daughter-in-law Ella Mills, shown left, holding her own child
Lady Jowell (pictured with the Queen in 2004, left) gave a moving interview on BBC Radio 4 recently talking about her illness
Tessa Jowell with David Beckham. Speaking about securing the Olympics for London, she said: 'When London won, Beckham put his arms around me and I thought we haven't just won the Olympics, I've died and gone to heaven!
A popular figure in Parliament, Lady Jowell played a major role in securing the 2012 Olympics for London when she served as culture secretary.
Lady Jowell was diagnosed with a gliobastoma multiforme brain tumour in May last year.
She suffered a haemorrhage on Friday, and had been in a coma until her death on Saturday, a spokesman for the family said.
The family spokesman said: 'It is with great sadness, and an enormous sense of loss, that we announce the death of Tessa Jowell.
'She died peacefully at the family home near Shipston-on-Stour in Warwickshire last night, shortly after 10pm.
'Her husband David and their children Jessie and Matthew were by her side, with Jessie's husband Finn, Matthew's wife Ella, and David's children from his first marriage.'
The spokesman added: 'In addition to chemotherapy and radiotherapy, in recent months doctors tried innovative new treatments which Tessa gladly embraced, but sadly the tumour recently progressed very quickly.
'The family would like to thank people for the overwhelming support Tessa and they have received since she became ill.
'They have been touched and moved by the response, in both Houses of Parliament; from members of the public; and other cancer patients and their families around the world.'
There will be a small private funeral in the coming days, and a memorial service open to all at a later date, the spokesman said.
Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown said Dame Tessa would be remembered for her 'courage, strength and compassion for others'.
He said: 'Tessa Jowell has memorable and lasting achievements to her name - as a popular London MP, a pioneering health minister and as the culture secretary who delivered the London Olympics.
'I am not afraid': How Tessa Jowell's speech on cancer became the first to be applauded in the House of Lords Dame Tessa Jowell was given a standing ovation after making an emotional plea for more cancer treatments to be made available through the NHS months before her death. The Labour peer, whose death was announced on Sunday, called for more opportunities for 'adaptive trials' in which patients can undergo different treatments, and if one does not work they can immediately move on to the next. Baroness Jowell, whose voice cracked several times during her House of Lords speech in January, told fellow peers of her cancer diagnosis and subsequent battle to beat the disease. She said: 'On May 24 last year, I was on my way to talk about new Sure Start projects in East London. I got into a taxi but couldn't speak, I had two powerful seizures. I was taken to hospital. 'Two days later, I was told that I had a brain tumour, glioblastoma multiforme, or GBM. A week later the tumour was removed by an outstanding surgeon at the National Hospital in Queen Square.' Baroness Jowell, who was one of the Labour Party's best known faces during Tony Blair's era, went on to say how she had taken solace from Irish poet Seamus Heaney. She said: 'Seamus Heaney's last words were do not be afraid. I am not afraid, but I am fearful that this new and important approach may be put into the "too difficult" box.' She added: 'All we now ask is that doctors and health systems learn to do the same. Learn from each other. In the end, what gives a life meaning is not only how it is lived, but how it draws to a close. 'I hope this debate will give hope to other cancer patients like me. So that we can live well with cancer, not just be dying of it.' As she concluded her speech peers, members of the public and Health and Social Care Secretary Jeremy Hunt, who was also in the chamber, rose to applaud. The tribute was thought to be the first of its kind in the House of Lords. Dame Tessa suffered a haemorrhage on Friday, and had been in a coma until her death on Saturday, a spokesman for the family said
Tessa Jowell's journey to Parliament was a long one. She first stood in a 1978 by-election (pictured) in Ilford North, a seat now held by Labour's Wes Streeting
A popular figure in Parliament, Dame Tessa played a major role in securing the 2012 Olympics for London when she served as culture secretary (pictured at an event in the year of the 2012 Olympics, left, and at a gala in 2017, right)
Lady Jowell took on the job of convincing unsure colleagues about the merits of hosting the Olympics in 2012. London finally won the vote in July 2005
'No-one will ever forget the courage, strength and compassion for others that defined her life, shown in her incredible bravery in facing cancer and her desire to ensure that even while she suffered herself, she helped others who faced similar illnesses.
'My thoughts are with her family.'
Dame Tessa Jowell will be remembered as one of the main political architects of the hugely successful 2012 London Olympics, which captured the public imagination like little else in recent history.
It was as Tony Blair's Labour culture secretary in the early noughties that she championed the capital's eventually successful bid to host the games, in the face of Civil Service and Cabinet scepticism.
Though losing her Cabinet post in Gordon Brown's 2007 reshuffle she remained Olympic minister and oversaw every stage of the games from initial bid to competition.
Ed Miliband, who was Labour leader during the games, said at the time she had left an 'enormous' legacy and that the country owed her a 'debt of gratitude'.
Tessa Jowell's journey to Parliament was a long one. She first stood in a 1978 by-election in Ilford North on the Essex/London border, a seat now held by Labour's Wes Streeting.
Dame Tessa Jowell proudly holds her Dame Commander insignia following a ceremony at Buckingham Palace in 2013
Though losing her Cabinet post in Gordon Brown's 2007 reshuffle, Dame Jessa remained Olympic minister and oversaw every stage of the games from initial bid to competition
Dame Tessa is joined by the Duke of Cambridge for a service in remembrance of those affected by the 7/7 London bombings
The former social worker lost to her Conservative rival, and was defeated again in the following year's general election.
Ilford North would not fall to Labour until 1997, by which time Ms Jowell had been an MP for five years in the south London Dulwich and West Norwood constituency.
In 1997 she was one of the 101 female Labour MPs on the Government benches following the party's landslide victory who were dubbed, in less self-aware times, the 'Blair Babes'.
A succession of ministerial jobs followed, including employment minister and minister for women, before she joined the Cabinet as culture secretary in 2001.
Here she took on the job of convincing unsure colleagues about the merits of hosting the Olympics in 2012. London finally won the vote in July 2005.
Her backing for the games was not unquestioning however. In 2008, after the Great Recession struck, costing thousands of jobs, she said: 'Had we known what we know now, would we have bid for the Olympics? Almost certainly not.'
In 2012 she was made Dame Tessa Jowell in the Birthday Honours for political and charitable services, which were partly in recognition of her work on the Olympics.
Dame Tessa's son Matthew Mills is married to Ella Mills, the British food writer and entrepreneur who works under the brand name of Deliciously Ella
Dame Tessa Jowell with her husband David Mills and children Jess and Matthew, proudly holds her Dame Commander insignia, after it was presented to her by the Prince of Wales in 2013
Three years later, after stepping down from the Commons at the 2015 general election, she was made Baroness Jowell of Brixton.
She later stood to be Labour's candidate for mayor of London in 2016 but lost out to Sadiq Khan.
Her career was not without controversy.
She split from her lawyer husband David Mills in 2006 when she admitted being unaware he had paid off part of their mortgage with £350,000 at the centre of a bribery case involving former Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi.
Mr Mills was charged along with Mr Berlusconi with corruption in Milan and was convicted in his absence in February 2009, before being acquitted by the Italian Supreme Court under Italy's statute of limitations a year later.
The couple parted after it was said to be damaging Dame Tessa's career, but they were later reconciled.
Mr Mills accompanied her, along with their children Jess and Matthew, to Buckingham Palace when she was invested with her damehood in January 2013.
The speed of her late physical decline was dramatic. On May 24, 2017 she had two seizures in a taxi as she made her way to a talk in east London.
Two days later she was told she was suffering from a rare type of brain tumour, glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). Her last few months saw her campaign for more cancer treatments to be made available through the NHS.
In 2012 she was made Dame Tessa Jowell in the Birthday Honours for political and charitable services, which were partly in recognition of her work on the Olympics
'I will miss her more than I can say': Tony Blair and Gordon Brown lead tributes to an 'inspirational' politician with an 'unflinching tenacity'
Tessa Jowell give Gordon Brown an enthusiastic hug during door-to-door campaigning in 2010
Dame Tessa Jowell has been described as an 'inspirational' politician with 'unflinching tenacity' as friends and colleagues shared heartfelt tributes following her death at the age of 70.
The former cabinet minister died at home on Saturday evening after being diagnosed with a brain tumour last year.
Former prime minister Tony Blair, in whose Cabinet Dame Tessa served as culture secretary, said she would be remembered for being 'the most wise of counsellors, the most loyal and supportive of colleagues, and the best of friends'.
He said: 'There was no one like Tessa and no one better. I will miss her more than I can say.
'My thoughts and prayers, and those of Cherie and all the family, are with David and her wonderful family of whom she was justly very proud.'
Highlighting her work in the implementation of the Sure Start programme, as well as her drive to narrow the pay gap, Mr Blair hailed her 'remarkable' achievements.
She was also instrumental in London's successful bid for the 2012 Olympic Games.
Lord Sebastian Coe, former chairman of the London Organising Committee, said there would not have been a London 2012 without her and described her as a 'life enchancer'.
He said: 'No politician deserves greater credit for the Games. She showed unflinching tenacity in persuading the Prime Minister and the Cabinet that the Government should throw its full weight behind the bid.
'And long after the Games were over, Tessa continued to fight for their legacy. Without her the sporting landscape of the UK would have looked very different, and so many other tangible legacies left dormant. I will miss her enormously.'
Former acting Labour leader Harriet Harman said Dame Tessa was 'no softie', adding: 'She was clever and tough.'
'Tessa was my MP neighbour for 23 years, always courteous and polite with local agencies, hospitals and schools.
Lord Sebastian Coe (pictured middle), former chairman of the London Organising Committee, said there would not have been a London 2012 without Dame Tessa (second from left)
'But if they were misleading, uncaring or obfuscating she would be tougher than anyone - and forensic with it.
'But above all she wanted to see Labour in government, and when we were she took her unique style and deep personal commitment into the heart of Whitehall.'
John Bercow, Speaker of the House of Commons, described Dame Tessa as an 'indefatigable campaigner who translated care from a word to a deed at every turn'.
He added: 'Through her focus on Early Years provision, Tessa did more than most to improve lives and promote social justice.
'Passionate, warm and empathetic, she saw the best in everyone and won respect and affection across the political spectrum.'
Helen Hayes MP, who succeeded Dame Tessa as the MP for Dulwich and West Norwood in 2015, hailed her 'extraordinary' legacy, and said she had served her constituents 'with a commitment to making a difference every single day'.
Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown said Dame Tessa would be remembered for her 'courage, strength and compassion for others'
Councillor Georgia Gould, leader of Camden Council, said her optimism and courage were a 'massive inspiration' to many.
After being diagnosed with a brain tumour in May 2017, Dame Tessa worked to raise awareness about the realities of cancer, and made an impassioned plea in Parliament for better treatments for patients.
Sarah Lindsell, chief executive of the Brain Tumour Charity, said: 'Tessa Jowell's courage and honesty in speaking about her brain tumour diagnosis, coupled with her fierce determination to improve the lives of others affected by the disease, has already brought hope to an often-forgotten community of patient and families.
'As at so many times in her life, she has been an extraordinary driving force for change. Her passionate support for more flexible clinical trials for brain tumour patients, and for global data-sharing to improve understanding of the disease, will have a real and lasting impact in our quest for a cure.'
Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt said he was 'devastated' by the loss of Dame Tessa.
After being diagnosed with a brain tumour in May 2017, Dame Tessa worked to raise awareness about the realities of cancer, and made an impassioned plea in Parliament for better treatments for patients.
He tweeted: 'She was quite simply the bravest and the best & brought magic to whatever she touched whether SureStarts, London 2012 or campaigning for those who like her were battling with incurable cancer. RIP'
Shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry paid tribute to Dame Tessa Jowell as a 'true sister', adding she was perhaps more like an auntie in the support she gave female MPs in Parliament.
She told BBC Radio 5 Live's Pienaar's Politics: 'It's that sort of ability to be able to support particularly women I think was just part of her DNA and is the sign of a true feminist.'
She added: 'She always used to say that her greatest achievement was working to set up the Sure Start centres and as there is cross-party praise of her now, I hope that it gives people pause for thought and to look again at the state of Sure Start centres, because the stripping back of funding of Sure Start centres means that many of them are closing.'
She said Dame Tessa was a campaigner and a fighter, adding: 'She sits with Barbara Castle amongst our greatest female parliamentarians of the last 100 years.'
Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption Tessa Jowell opens up about living with brain cancer
Former Labour cabinet minister Dame Tessa Jowell has died aged 70, her family has said.
Dame Tessa, who was diagnosed with brain cancer in May last year, suffered a haemorrhage on Friday, and had been in a coma until her death on Saturday.
She played a major role in securing the 2012 Olympics for London when she served as culture secretary.
In recent months she campaigned for more cancer treatments to be made available through the NHS.
She earned a minute-long standing ovation in the House of Lords in January for speaking about the issue.
"In the end, what gives a life meaning is not only how it is lived, but how it draws to a close," she said during her speech.
"I hope that this debate will give hope to other cancer patients, like me, so we can live well together with cancer, not just dying of it. All of us, for longer."
Leading the tributes to Dame Tessa, former prime minister Tony Blair told the BBC that she was a "committed public servant" who was "always true and loyal and decent and wise".
Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption Tony Blair: Dame Tessa 'convinced me to make Olympic bid'
"She knew she was dying and yet she was prepared to give everything she had in order to help people in the future," Mr Blair said of her campaigning towards the end of her life.
"If anyone wants to know what politics can achieve they can just look at her life and how she lived it, and how she ended it as a testimony to all that's best in politics."
He said her impact on politics was enormous and "everything she touched turned to gold in some way, whether it was advancing equal pay for women, starting Sure Start - which is an immense programme for children in our country - or of course bringing the Olympics to Britain".
A statement from her family said it was "with great sadness and an enormous sense of loss" that they announced the news of her death.
She died peacefully at the family home near Shipston-on-Stour in Warwickshire shortly after 22:00 BST on Saturday, the statement said.
"Her husband David and their children Jessie and Matthew were by her side, with Jessie's husband Finn, Matthew's wife Ella, and David's children from his first marriage.
"In addition to chemotherapy and radiotherapy, in recent months doctors tried innovative new treatments which Tessa gladly embraced, but sadly the tumour recently progressed very quickly."
Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption Tessa Jowell gets a minute-long standing ovation in the House of Lords
The statement thanked people for the "overwhelming support" Dame Tessa and her family had received since she became ill.
A small private funeral will be held "in the coming days" and a memorial service "open to all" at a later date.
Dame Tessa's daughter-in-law, food blogger Ella Mills, posted on Instagram that "Matt's extraordinary mum" was the "warmest and kindest soul".
Prime Minister Theresa May said the dignity and courage with which Dame Tessa had confronted her illness was "humbling" and "inspirational", and her campaigning was a "lasting tribute to a lifetime of public service".
Image copyright PA Image caption Former PM Tony Blair said Dame Tessa was "an inspiration to work with, and a joy to be near"
Lord Sebastian Coe, president of the IAAF and former chairman of the London organising committee of the Olympic Games, said London 2012 would not have happened without Dame Tessa.
"She showed unflinching tenacity in persuading the prime minister and the cabinet that the government should throw its full weight behind the bid," he said.
Four-time gold medal winning rower Sir Matthew Pinsent also paid tribute to Dame Tessa's determination to bring the Olympic Games to London.
Skip Twitter post by @matthewcpinsent RIP Tessa Jowell - absolutely central to the effort to win and stage the Olympics and Paralympics in 2012. Her determination and sense of humour surrounding them was infectious. — Matthew Pinsent (@matthewcpinsent) May 13, 2018 Report
Sarah Lindsell, CEO of the Brain Tumour Charity, said the charity had started working with "wonderful ambassador" Dame Tessa towards the end of last year, and she praised her campaigning for cancer patients.
"Despite going through all of that and wanting to spend precious time with her family... she gave up so much of that time to continue to campaign, to ask for change, because it really matters," she told the BBC.
Former prime minister Gordon Brown said Dame Tessa would be remembered for her "courage, strength and compassion for others".
His successor David Cameron said he was "devastated" to hear of the death of the "dedicated and passionate campaigner" and "wonderful human being".
Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption Speaker John Bercow paid a glowing tribute to Baroness Jowell in April
Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption Alastair Campbell paid tribute to "incredible human being" Dame Tessa Jowell
Former acting leader of the Labour Party Harriet Harman said Dame Tessa was "clear and tough", a woman who "followed her personal instinct" and "nurtured personal relationships".
Skip Twitter post by @jeremycorbyn Devastating to hear the news of Tessa Jowell's death. From Councillor to Cabinet Minister, her achievements were huge, including helping to bring the Olympics to London. Her strength in raising awareness of her illness and fighting for better treatment for others inspired us all — Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) May 13, 2018 Report
'Committed to her cause'
Tessa Jowell once said she'd "jump under a bus" for Tony Blair. She was probably only half-joking. However, her loyalty to New Labour was more than simply tactical or careerist.
She was pro-European and in favour of a mixed-economy when both were deeply unfashionable on the left. Her belief that Labour should "modernise" was passionately held - forged at the coal face of a decade of Labour local activism.
Dame Tessa will be remembered at Westminster as someone who managed to be ideologically committed to her cause without overt sectarian bitterness.
Obituary: Dame Tessa Jowell
Dame Tessa, a former social worker, first stood for Parliament in a 1978 by-election in Ilford North on the Essex-London border. She lost to her Conservative rival and was defeated again the following year.
She made it to Westminster in 1992, as MP for Dulwich and West Norwood. In 1997, she was one of the 101 female Labour MPs on the benches following the party's landslide victory.
Image copyright PA Image caption Dame Tessa first stood for Parliament in a 1978 by-election in Ilford North on the Essex-London border
Dame Tessa was employment minister and minister for women, before joining the cabinet as culture secretary in 2001, during which she helped bring the Olympic Games to London.
In 2012 she was made Dame Tessa Jowell in the Birthday Honours for political and charitable services. After stepping down from the Commons at the 2015 general election, she was made Baroness Jowell of Brixton.
