“My father passed away last night around 10p surrounded by loved ones his wife and daughter by his side,” Jordan’s daughter, Vickee Jordan Adams said to CBS News on Tuesday.

Jordan, born on August 15, 1935, graduated from DePauw University in Indiana in 1957, studied law at Howard University. As a civil rights activist, he had close connections in all corners of American politics. He worked with Democrats, including presidents from Lyndon Johnson to Barack Obama and Republican Presidents Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, and George W. Bush.

In a statement, NAACP President Derrick Johnson said, “Today, the world lost an influential figure in the fight for civil rights and American politics, Vernon Jordan. An icon to the world and a lifelong friend to the NAACP, his contribution to moving our society toward justice is unparalleled.” 

Jordan’s closest political friendship was with Bill and Hillary Clinton and remained close to them for decades, endorsing both of Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaigns.