Who Is Lindsey Graham's Sister? Everything to Know About Interim Senator Darline Graham Nordone

Lindsey Graham's sister, Darline Graham Nordone, is stepping up to serve the remainder of his Senate term.

On July 12, Graham's office confirmed the U.S. senator died on the night of July 11 from "a brief and sudden illness." He was 71.

"Senator Graham's family appreciates prayers at this time and asks for privacy during this incredibly difficult period," the statement continued.

The office of the Washington, D.C., chief medical examiner said Graham died of an aortic dissection due to arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease, though the death certificate will be "PENDING until all the toxicological and microscopic testing are finalized and at that point the death certificate will be updated to reflect the cause of death and appropriately classify the manner of death."

Following Graham's passing, attention turned to Nordone, who was appointed to fill his Senate seat through the end of the term in January 2027.

The siblings were raised by their parents, F.J. Graham and Millie Graham, in Central, S.C. They lived in a one-room house behind their parents' Sanitary Café, a restaurant, bar, pool room and liquor store on Main Street.

F.J. and Millie died within 15 months of each other while Lindsey was studying at the University of South California. Lindsey soon became Darline's legal guardian, which enabled her to receive military benefits when he joined the Air Force as a military lawyer.

"I can remember the day my father passed away, standing in that house absolutely scared to death," she shared when her brother announced his presidential bid in 2016. "Lindsey wrapped his arms around me and promised me that he would always be there for me and always take care of me."

Darline also told CNN's Dana Bash at the time, "Even when my parents were alive, they worked really long, hard hours running a small business. So even then, he was a caregiver to me."

When asked who would be his first lady, Lindsey said Darline "could play that role if necessary."

Unlike Lindsey, Darline had never held political office before her appointment as interim senator.

In 2019, she began serving as commissioner of the South Carolina Commission for the Blind after working at Clemson University and for two South Carolina state agencies. She also worked as a business services and communications director at the South Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation Department.

In addition, she is president-elect of the National Council of State Agencies for the Blind and serves on South Carolina's Workforce Development Board.

Darline holds a bachelor's degree in sociology from the College of Charleston and a master's degree in rehabilitation counseling.

Darline and her husband, Larry Nordone, live in Lexington, S.C., with their two daughters. They have one grandson.

In a Truth Social post, President Donald Trump urged South Carolina's Republican Governor Henry McMaster to appoint Lindsey's "wonderful sister" as interim senator.

"This would be a fabulous tribute to Lindsey, who loved her dearly!" he continued.

During a news conference on July 13, the governor officially tapped Darline to serve the remainder of her late brother's Senate term. He clarified Donald's post had no bearing on a decision he had already made.

"I was humbled by your quickness to see the duty that you had to serve," he said. "I called the president afterward, and he thought it was a great idea."

Lindsey's post ends in January 2027.

Darline also delivered brief remarks, saying, "I promise to work hard over the next several months to support the president and carry forward the efforts of my brother on behalf of the citizens of South Carolina and the United States. I think this is what Lindsey would have wanted, and I plan to honor him in this way."