A TORMENTED FORMER POTUS DIES
Stonewall, Texas (JFK+50) On January 22, 1973, Lyndon B. Johnson*, 36th President of the United States, passed away at the LBJ Ranch here in Stonewall.
The date of LBJ's death was two days after the end of President Richard M. Nixon's first term, the term that LBJ might have completed. Mr. Johnson did not seek the renomination of the Democratic Party for the Presidency in 1968.
The former president had suffered three major heart attacks. The first came in 1955, but despite warnings from his physicians, LBJ continued chain smoking, overeating, and drinking too much.
LBJ was in his bedroom at the time of the last heart attack and was pronounced dead at 4:33 p.m. (CST). In his last days, Mr. Johnson was said to be "tormented" by the failure of the Vietnam War.
Historian Michael Beschloss writes...
"Feeling like an unappreciated outcast, (LBJ) often depressed, repeatedly listened to Simon and Garfunkel's 'Bridge Over Troubled Water'.**
*Lyndon Baines Johnson (1908-1973) was born in Stonewall, TX & earned his B.A. at Texas State University. LBJ served in the US Navy during WWII & was one of only 4 people to serve as President, Vice-President, U.S. Representative & Senate Majority Leader.
*'Bridge Over Troubled Water', written by Paul Simon & sung by Art Garfunkel, was recorded on Jan. 26, 1970. Within 2 days it was #1 on the charts and stayed there for 6 weeks. Elvis recorded the song in Nashville on June 5, 1970. Rolling Stone magazine rated it #47 in the '500 Greatest Songs of All Time'.
SOURCE
"LBJ Agonized Over His Legacy," by Michael Beschloss, www.pbs.org, December 4, 2012.
