Antony Blinken’s Father, Former Diplomat and Banker, Dies

NCAFP Trustee and Former U.S. Ambassador to Hungary Donald Blinken speaks onstage at the National Committee On American Foreign Policy 2017 Gala Awards Dinner in New York City on Oct. 30, 2017. Mike Coppola/Getty Images for National Committee on American Foreign Policy

NEW YORK—Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s father, Donald, a former U.S. diplomat, investment banker, and modern art collector, died on Thursday. He was 96.

Blinken announced his father’s passing in a series of tweets while he was attending the annual UN General Assembly.

“My family lost a parent and grandparent, a source of love and inspiration—my father Donald Blinken,” he wrote.

“A member of the U.S. Army Air Corps, a U.S. ambassador, president of the Mark Rothko Foundation, (chairman of the board) of the State University of New York, dad served his city, state, and country,” Blinken said.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken addresses the Media after meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett (unseen), at the prime minister's office in Jerusalem on March 27, 2022. Jacquelyn Martin/Pool/AFP via Getty Images

Donald Blinken died peacefully at his home in East Hampton, Long Island, a State Department official said.

“Dad inspired me to public service,” Blinken wrote. “He lived with decency, dignity, and modesty. He loved his wife Vera and his family. He built a wonderful life and gave me a wonderful life. I love you dad.”

Antony Blinken canceled several events he was to attend at the UN General Assembly on Thursday evening due to his father’s deteriorating medical condition and his schedule there on Friday will be adjusted to account for family commitments, the State Department official said.

Donald Blinken served as the chairman of the State University of New York system from 1978 to 1990 and was U.S. Ambassador to Hungary from 1994 to 1997, during the Clinton administration.