Kathleen Blanco: The former governor of Louisiana who died at the age of 76 when Katrina passed away

The former governor of Louisiana, Kathleen Babineaux Blanco, died at the age of 76 from cancer.

Ms. Blanco, elected in 2004, was the first woman to lead the state.

Hurricane Katrina, which has been raging for just 20 months, has been accused of more than 1,800 deaths in the region.

Hundreds of thousands of people have been displaced and most of New Orleans was left under water when its dyke system failed. Politicians, including Ms. Blanco, have been criticized for their slow response.

Ms. Blanco, who was a Democrat, was first elected to a public office in 1984. She did not apply to be re-elected at the end of her term as governor in 2008.

His death was confirmed Sunday by current state governor, John Bel Edwards.

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On Twitter, he described her as a "pioneer" and honored him for leading Louisiana "during one of our darkest hours".

"Kathleen loved this state and our people and was a shining example of what can be accomplished through hard work and determination," he said.

"I hope that history will remember Governor Blanco as a tireless advocate for Louisiana, who has fought so hard for the reconstruction of our state after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita."

Her husband, five children and 13 grandchildren survived, according to local media reports.