Understandably by Bill Murphy Jr.

Understandably by Bill Murphy Jr.

Share this post

Understandably by Bill Murphy Jr.
Understandably by Bill Murphy Jr.
Colin Powell's last words
Copy link
Facebook
Email
Notes
More

Colin Powell's last words

It’s Alma Powell. She was with me the whole time. Also, 7 other things worth your time.

Bill Murphy Jr.'s avatar
Bill Murphy Jr.
Oct 19, 2021
∙ Paid
70

Share this post

Understandably by Bill Murphy Jr.
Understandably by Bill Murphy Jr.
Colin Powell's last words
Copy link
Facebook
Email
Notes
More
7
Share

Last July, while he was battling multiple myeloma cancer and dealing with the effects of Parkinson’s disease, Colin Powell, former secretary of state and chairman of the joint chiefs of staff did something he’d done many times in the past.

He got on the phone for a nice long chat with journalist and author Bob Woodward of The Washington Post.

“Don’t feel sorry for me, for God’s sakes! I’m [84] years old,” Powell told Woodward according to a partial transcript, which Woodward shared in the wake of Powell’s death Monday, reportedly as a result of Covid-19.

His days were often filled with tests and treatment at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Powell said, but he was making the best of the situation: “I drive up in my Corvette, get out of the Corvette and go into the hospital. … I don’t advertise it but most of my friends know it.”

There’s a lot to say about Powell, and a lot of people saying it yesterday and today. (I wrote for Inc.com about his 13 Rules for Leaders, which ori…

Keep reading with a 7-day free trial

Subscribe to Understandably by Bill Murphy Jr. to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.

Already a paid subscriber? Sign in
© 2025 Much Better Media LLC
Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start writingGet the app
Substack is the home for great culture

Share

Copy link
Facebook
Email
Notes
More