Russell M. Nelson Dies at 101: Remembering a Leader and Heart Surgeon

Liputan6.com, Jakarta Russell M. Nelson, a prominent religious leader and heart surgeon, reportedly passed away on Saturday, September 27, 2025.

He passed away peacefully at his home in Salt Lake City, Utah, at the age of 101.

His passing marked the end of the longest-serving leadership era in the history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church).

The Church announced that President Nelson died shortly after 10 p.m. MDT and the cause of death was not specifically disclosed.

As the 17th President of the LDS Church, Russell M. Nelson was known for his significant reforms and extensive ministry.

“All of us who have worked with Russell M. Nelson, and the many he has taught and associated with, have marveled at his extraordinary modesty for a man of his great accomplishments,” said President Dallin H. Oaks, who was called to serve in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles on the same day as President Nelson in 1984 and who served as President Nelson’s First Counselor in the First Presidency.

“And [we] have marveled at his gentleness. He is just the gentlest and sweetest person you could ever hope to associate with. And he will always be remembered that way.”

With sorrow we announce that Russell M. Nelson, beloved President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has died. He was 101 — the oldest president in the history of the Church.For more information on the life and ministry of President Russell M. Nelson, see… pic.twitter.com/BexmfbgMOh

— The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (@Ch_JesusChrist) September 28, 2025

Russell M. Nelson served as the 17th President of the Church and was the oldest leader in the institution's history.

His passing on September 27, 2025, at the age of 101, ended a leadership filled with innovation and growth.

During his tenure, Russell M. Nelson led the Church through numerous global challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic.

He is also known for his massive temple-building initiative, announcing more than 200 new temples worldwide.

His leadership brought profound changes to the Church's structure and practices.

His accomplishments as President of the Church went beyond physical construction to organizational reform and led the Church's severance of ties with the Boy Scouts of America and then created its own youth program.

Before devoting himself fully to Church service, Russell Marion Nelson Sr. Russell M. Nelson, Jr. was an internationally recognized cardiac surgeon and medical researcher.

Born on September 9, 1924, in Salt Lake City, Utah, Nelson demonstrated exceptional intelligence from a young age. He earned his M.D. from the University of Utah at the age of 22.

His medical career included residencies at Massachusetts General Hospital and the University of Minnesota, where he earned his Ph.D. in 1954.

He was a member of the research team that developed the heart-lung machine, a crucial innovation that enabled the first human open-heart surgery in 1951.

In November 1955, at the age of 31, Dr. Nelson made history by performing the first successful open-heart surgery in Utah using a heart-lung machine.

Throughout his career, he performed nearly 7,000 operations and trained generations of cardiac surgeons.

Russell M. Nelson also held prominent positions in various medical organizations, including president of the Society for Vascular Surgery and the Utah Medical Association.

In his personal life, Russell M. Nelson married Dantzel White in 1945, with whom he had ten children.

Dantzel died in February 2005, and a year later, in April 2006, he married Wendy L. Watson.

Nelson was known as a polyglot, fluent in 11 languages, reflecting his love of learning and global communication.

He is survived by Wendy, eight of his ten children, 57 grandchildren, and more than 167 great-grandchildren.

Russell M. Nelson has served in various leadership positions in the LDS Church, even while still active as a surgeon.

He served as General President of the Sunday School from 1971 to 1979.

His call to serve as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles came on April 7, 1984, marking a significant transition in his life.

On July 3, 2015, he was appointed President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles following the death of Boyd K. Packer.

His leadership culminated on January 14, 2018, when Russell M. Nelson was set apart as the 17th President and Prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

As President, he was recognized as a prophet, seer, and revelator.His tenure was marked by intense global ministry, during which he visited 32 countries and U.S. territories.

Nelson also became the oldest Church president in history in April 2022, surpassing Gordon B. Hinckley.

He celebrated his 100th birthday on September 9, 2024.