Doug McCain, the eldest son of late Sen. John McCain, has passed away. He was 66. His cause of death was unclear. “I am deeply saddened to share the news of my brother Doug McCain’s sudden passing. He was a truly wonderful, joyful man who supported me throughout my life. He brought humor, fun and great conversation to every room,” Meghan McCain said. I will cherish our memories together. Our prayers are with his wife Ashley and children Caroline and Shepp,” she added. I am deeply saddened to share the news of my brother Doug McCain’s sudden passing. He was a truly wonderful, joyful man who supported me throughout my life. He brought humor, fun and great conversation to every room. I will cherish our memories together. Our prayers are with his… https://t.co/BAwrfbu9bj — Meghan McCain (@MeghanMcCain) May 24, 2026 More from the New York Post: The younger McCain is survived by his wife, Ashley; mother, Carol; two children; and extended family. Doug was the son of John McCain’s first wife Carol Shepp, and McCain adopted him when he and Shepp married in 1965. The late senator later divorced his first wife and married Cindy in 1980. Cindy is Meghan’s mother. The late senator had met his first wife during his time in the Navy through their mutual friend, Alasdair Swanson, who was Doug’s biological father. Swanson and Carol had been married for about six years until she alleged he had cheated on her and divorced him. After marrying Carol, McCain adopted her two sons, Doug and Andrew. Initially, her children clashed with John after the divorce from Carol in 1980, but ultimately managed to reconcile with him over time, the New York Times reported in 2000. “Susan and I were saddened to learn of the passing of Doug McCain, a former Navy pilot who served his country with distinction, and beloved son of the late Senator McCain. We are praying for the McCain family at this difficult time,” former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said. Susan and I were saddened to learn of the passing of Doug McCain, a former Navy pilot who served his country with distinction, and beloved son of the late Senator McCain. We are praying for the McCain family at this difficult time. — Mike Pompeo (@mikepompeo) May 24, 2026 Fox News shared further: Doug McCain was born Oct. 4, 1959, in Pensacola, Florida, and grew up in Jacksonville, where he surfed and played baseball and soccer. He graduated from Jacksonville Episcopal High School in 1977 before attending the University of Virginia, where he majored in systems engineering, joined Navy ROTC and met his future wife Ashley Jardine. After graduating from UVA in 1982, McCain joined the Navy and spent six years flying A-6 Intruders. He later built a long career with American Airlines, where his family said he found work he loved, especially after becoming a captain. Doug was John McCain’s adopted son from the senator’s first marriage to Carol Shepp McCain. John McCain, a Navy aviator who was held as a prisoner of war in Vietnam, later represented Arizona in the U.S. Senate and became the Republican presidential nominee in 2008. He died in 2018. “Doug could always be counted on to tell you what he knew and, more often than not, explain why he was right,” his obituary read. “He secretly loved his ‘World Book’ nickname and hated that Google eventually put him out of business. He enjoyed golf and was very proud to hold the McCain family record of three holes-in-one. “He was a loyal friend to many and cherished each and every friendship. He was a devoted son, a loving father to Caroline and Shepp, and most recently found great joy in being Teddy’s grandfather. Doug will be remembered for his generous heart, his loyal friendships, and his unwavering love for his family. He will be dearly missed by those close to him.”