Celebrities' Daughters
Remembering Raine Riggs: A Life Cut Short at 46
Read about the life of Raine Riggs, a neuropsychologist and wife of Bernie Sanders’ son. She volunteered at ground zero and tragically passed away from cancer at only 46 years old.
Raine Riggs – A Life Cut Short
Prepare to have your heartstrings tugged, folks. Raine Riggs, the wife of Bernie Sanders’ son Levi Sanders, was a total boss. Not only was she a neuropsychologist, but she also owned her own business, Riggs Geriatric Psychology. Oh, and did we mention she volunteered at ground zero during 9/11? Yeah, she was a superhero.
Sadly, Raine passed away from cancer just days after being diagnosed. She was only 46 years old. Cancer sucks.
But let’s focus on the good stuff. Raine was a smarty pants from the get-go, graduating as class valedictorian from Burgettstown High School. She then went on to earn her neuropsychology degree from the University of Vermont. No big deal.
And let’s not forget about her love story with Levi. They met while working at an emergency food shelter (cue the “awws”). Raine was also a berry-picking and baking enthusiast, which just makes her even more lovable.
Rest in peace, Raine. You were a true gem.
How did Raine Riggs die?
Raine Riggs died of neuroendocrine cancer on the evening of October 5, 2019. Neuroendocrine cancer is a cancer of the body’s neuroendocrine cells, these cells release hormones into the blood. It is a very rare disease.
For her obituary her family wrote: “This world lost one of its most beautiful people…. our beloved mother, wife, daughter, granddaughter, sister, niece and cousin… Dr. Rainè Riggs.”
The family explained how Raine was sick for three weeks and doctors could not understand what was wrong with her. She was then given a diagnosis of neuroendocrine cancer. She died two days after her diagnosis.
Career
Raine graduated valedictorian in 1990 from Bugettstown High School.
After this she went to American University to earn a bachelor’s degree in psychology.
She then went on to Harvard and Brown University to earn a masters degree in geriatric neuropsychology and clinical sleep medicine. Whilst at Brown she received the National Institute of Health award for research on chemotherapy’s affects on the brain.
Rounding off her academic career Raine attended Vermont University to gain a doctorate in neuropsychology.
Raine co-directed the Behavioral Medicine unit at Dartmouth Medical School for many years, whilst here she founded the Palliative Care Department.
How old was Raine Riggs?
Rainè was born on December 23, 1972. Her parents were Richard and Rinda Riggs. She was 46 years old when she died of neuroendocrine cancer.
Was Raine Riggs married or divorced?
Raine was married to Bernie Sanders’s son, Levi Sanders. They met whilst working together at an emergency food shelter for the homeless.
Did Raine Riggs have any children?
Despite her glittering academic career, Raine said her proudest achievement was becoming a mother.
Raine had three adopted children – Sunnee Riggs-Sanders, Ryleigh Riggs-Sanders, and Grayson Riggs-Sanders.
How much was Raine Riggs’s net worth?
Raine Riggs’s net worth at the time of her death was not known.
The family urged people wishing to remember Raine Riggs to make a memorial donation in her memory to Love Without Boundaries, a charity that meant a lot to her.
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