The controversial Washington mayor, Marion Barry had a $2,800 accumulated unpaid parking tickets since 2012. He was an American politician who served as the second elected mayor of the District of Columbia from 1979 to 1991, and as the fourth mayor from 1995 to 1999. On Nov. 23, 2014, Marion Barry died from cardiac arrest at the age of 78.
Marion Barry was a Mississippi sharecropper's son and civil right activist who had several unpaid parking tickets for traffic violations. He was considered as the most influential local politician of his generation. He had served on the D.C. council for 15 years. According to The Washington Post, he was called as the "Mayor for Life" by his critics.
Despite being so controversial due to drug issues, jail sentences and unpaid parking tickets, Marion Barry's death has left Washington in mourning. In recent years, Marion Barry had suffered several health problems. The New York Times reported that the former politician had undergone a kidney transplant in 2009.
On early Sunday, Marion Barry's family announced his death in a statement released through Barry's representative. He died at the United Medical Center in Southeast Washington hours after he was released from Howard University Hospital on Saturday. According to the D.C. medical examiner the former mayor died of hypertensive cardiovascular disease with diabetes and kidney disease complications.
"It is with deep regret that the family of former Four-time D.C. Mayor, and Ward 8 City Councilman, Marion S. Barry, Jr., announces that he has passed," the statement said. "Mr. Barry transitioned at approximately 12 midnight on November 23, 2014, at the United Medical Center, after having been released from Howard University Hospital on Saturday, November 22, 2014."
The statement also added that Marion Barry will appear on the television show, "Oprah" to discuss his autobiography entitled, "Mayor for Life: The Incredible Story of Marion Barry Jr.," which was released in June 2014.
"Mr. Barry released his autobiography 'Mayor For Life, the Incredible Story of Marion Barry, Jr.' in June 2014," a spokeswoman said through a statement on Sunday. "He will appear on OPRAH today at 9:00 p.m. EST to discuss his book, and 40 year political and civil rights career."
Barry's personal and public lives were troubled with great drama and sarcasm. He had fought alcohol and drug addiction, relapse and recovery. Due to Marion Barry's extramarital relationships and legal issues over unpaid taxes and parking tickets, he grabbed intense media scrutiny.
Amidst the legal troubles, drug and alcohol misdemeanor, imprisonment, sexual assault allegations and unpaid parking tickets (among any other issues), Marion Barry was admired and was considered as a "Robin Hood" for giving hope to poor black residents.
Before his death, Barry once again made the headlines on Aug. 2, 2014 when he was involved in a traffic accident in the District, which was blamed on a "hypoglycemic attack" due to his diabetes. During the accident, Marion Barry had a total $2,800 unpaid tickets for parking violations and speeding.
Despite being famous for having several legal troubles including unpaid parking tickets, Marion Barry was a charming and enigmatic politician. But on Sunday, he died at the age of 78 leaving behind his wife, Cora Masters Barry and his only son, Marion Christopher Barry.
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