Ed Koch

**Edward Irving "Ed" Koch** (December 12, 1924 – February 1, 2013) was an American lawyer, politician, movie critic, and television personality. He was the 106th mayor of New York City from January 1, 1978 through December 31, 1989. He was also part of the House of Representatives. He was a judge for the television judge show _The People's Court_.

## Early life

Koch was born on December 12, 1924 in The Bronx, New York to Yetta (née Silpe) and Louis Koch. They were a Polish-Jewish family from New Jersey. He was raised in both The Bronx and in Newark, New Jersey. Koch studied at the City College of New York and at New York University School of Law.

## Career

Throughout his career, Koch signed many bills including one that allowed gays and lesbians to marry in New York City. Another well-known act he did in New York was that he helped try to find a cure for AIDS. He had many preventions and awareness programs. He was a Democrat. He ran for Governor of New York, but lost the election. His career began to slowly come to an end after Koch suffered a stroke in 1987. When he was a representative, he supported the Civil Right Act during the 1960s.

## Personal life

Koch never married and had no children. Many thought Koch was gay because of the pro-LGBT policies he supported and because he never married. This made Koch angry and told everyone he was not. However, in 2022, _The New York Times_ confirmed that Koch was a closeted gay man after having many interviews with close friends of his.

## Death

Koch went to the hospital on January 19, 2013 and left on January 26. He went back to the hospital on January 31, 2013 because he had chest pains and liquid in his lungs. The next day on the morning of February 1, 2013, Koch died in Manhattan, New York from heart failure, aged 88.

### Burial

He was buried at Trinity Cemetery and Mausoleum in Manhattan, New York on February 4, 2013. Many people went to his funeral including former United States President Bill Clinton. His marker are written in the last words of Daniel Pearl. He has a Star of David somewhere in his grave. The epitaph of his grave says: _"He was fiercely proud of his Jewish faith. He fiercely defended the City of New York, and he fiercely loved its people. Above all, he loved his country, the United States of America, in whose armed forces he served in World War II"_.

## Quotes

A practiced public speaker since his days stumping for Adlai Stevenson, Koch was well known for his quips and one liners. A few include:

(On the occasion of his primary loss to David Dinkins) "The people have spoken...and they must be punished."

"I'm the sort of person who will never get ulcers. Why? Because I say exactly what I think. I'm the sort of person who might give other people ulcers."

"If you agree with me on nine out of 12 issues, vote for me. If you agree with me on 12 out of 12 issues, see a psychiatrist."

## Other websites

- Ed Koch on Twitter
- _Voices on Antisemitism_ Interview with Edward Koch  from the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum
- Edward I. Koch's page on NewsMax.com
- Podcasts of Ed Koch commentaries at Bloomberg.com
- Edward I. Koch Collection  of La Guardia and Wagner Archives – Koch's mayoral records as well as personal papers and photographs
- Former Mayor of New York Passes Away at 88

## Infobox (officeholder)

- **birthname**: Edward Irving Koch
- **image**: Edward Koch at commissioning of USS Lake Champlain (CG-57) cropped.jpg
- **image size**: 225px
- **caption**: Koch at the commissioning of USS Lake Champlain (CG-57), USS Lake Champlain in New York City, August 12, 1988
- **birth place**: The Bronx, New York City, New York, United States, U.S.
- **death place**: Manhattan, New York, U.S.
- **nationality**: U.S.
- **occupation**: Politician
- **residence**: Manhattan, New York, U.S.
- **office**: 106th Mayors of New York City, Mayor of New York City
- **term start**: January 1, 1978
- **term end**: December 31, 1989
- **predecessor**: Abraham D. Beame
- **successor**: David Dinkins, David N. Dinkins
- **party**: Democratic Party (United States), Democratic
- **state2**: New York
- **district2**: New York's 18th congressional district, 18th
- **term start2**: January 3, 1973
- **term end2**: December 31, 1977
- **preceded2**: Charles B. Rangel
- **succeeded2**: S. William Green
- **state3**: New York
- **district3**: New York's 17th congressional district, 17th
- **term start3**: January 3, 1969
- **term end3**: January 3, 1973
- **preceded3**: Theodore R. Kupferman
- **succeeded3**: John M. Murphy