Former health minister Andrea Kdolsky dies aged 63

Former Austrian health minister, doctor and author Andrea Kdolsky has died at 63, ORF reported. She had spoken publicly about her cancer diagnosis to encourage others facing the disease.

Kdolsky became known as a forceful advocate and was chair of the university teachers’ union. She later led the Lower Austrian state hospitals group before joining Chancellor Alfred Gusenbauer’s cabinet in 2007, where she was responsible for health and family affairs.

She left the Austrian People’s Party in 2023 after it formed a coalition with the Freedom Party in Lower Austria. During federal government talks involving the People’s Party, Social Democrats and NEOS, she advised NEOS on health policy. This year, she also worked for the state of Burgenland on plans for a centre for people with cancer.

Her former partner, Philipp Ita, announced her death on Facebook. “Your voice will be missed. But it will not fall silent. Farewell, dear Andrea, we will meet again,” he wrote.

Politicians from parties Kdolsky had worked with expressed grief. People’s Party leader Christian Stocker praised her willingness to speak openly and stand up for her convictions. NEOS leader Beate Meinl-Reisinger described her as a passionate doctor, committed politician and valued companion. Social Affairs Minister Korinna Schumann said Kdolsky had devoted great energy to serving people, while Burgenland Governor Hans Peter Doskozil called her an extraordinary personality.