Sen. John McCain‘s mother Roberta is aware that her son his died, according to People.
A close McCain family friend told the magazine that Roberta is “incredibly proud” of her middle child, the longtime politician and decorated war veteran who lost his battle to stage-four brain cancer at the age of 81 yesterday.
“Roberta was his biggest supporter and the leader of his fan club. She was incredibly proud of him,” the source says. “His mommy loved him. He knew that.”
As Roberta grieves the loss of her son, the source points out that she “is a very strong woman,” noting the centenarian’s age as proof.
“She is all there, mentally, and is still going strong at 106,” the friend said. “She outlived her 81-year-old son. That tells you a lot. But it’s a tough blow to bury your child.”
Roberta has been a vocal supporter of her son’s political efforts over the years. At 96 years old, during Sen. McCain’s 2008 presidential campaign, she gave a speech to campaign workers, captured by CSPAN.
“Johnny is going to be the president of the United States and he’s going to keep the traditions and the standards high,” she told the crowd, to applause.
Roberta traveled on her sons campaign bus during his presidential campaign in 2007. At one point, Roberta, then 95, teased her son, “I want to correct you when you start telling all those big lies.”