Heritage Foundation Icon Edwin J. Feulner Passes Away at 83

We mourn the loss of Edwin J. Feulner, a titan of American conservatism and co-founder of the Heritage Foundation, who passed away at the age of 83 on Friday. Feulner’s legacy is nothing short of monumental, having transformed a fledgling think tank into a cornerstone of policy influence in Washington, D.C.

From 1977 to 2013, and briefly again from 2017 to 2018, Feulner helmed Heritage as its president, becoming its longest-serving leader since its inception in 1973. Under his stewardship, the organization didn’t just grow—it became a powerhouse, shaping the Reagan-era reforms with market-driven ideas that reshaped the political landscape. His vision wasn’t confined to the past; Feulner remained a driving force in modern conservative strategy, notably through Project 2025, a bold and polarizing blueprint for a second Trump administration. His involvement in Trump’s transition teams, both past and present, underscored his enduring influence.

In a heartfelt tribute, Heritage President Kevin Roberts and Board Chairman Barb Van Andel-Gaby called Feulner a 'visionary, a builder, and a patriot of the highest order.' They celebrated his belief in a unifying conservatism—one that added voices rather than divided them. His mantra, 'You win through multiplication and addition, not through division and subtraction,' remains a guiding light for the movement. Feulner’s wisdom, encapsulated in his famous 'Feulnerisms' like 'People are policy,' continues to echo through Heritage’s halls, inspiring a new generation of leaders.

An author of nine books and a former congressional aide, Feulner’s fingerprints are on countless conservative initiatives. His commitment to faith, family, and freedom defined not just an institution, but an entire movement. As Roberts and Andel-Gaby vowed to carry forward his mission, they thanked him for showing what 'one faithful, fearless man' can achieve in the fight for self-governance.

Feulner leaves behind his wife, Lina, their children, and grandchildren. While the cause of his passing remains undisclosed, his impact on American politics is indelible.