Edwin J. Feulner Jr., the visionary founder and longtime president of The Heritage Foundation who transformed conservative policy-making in America, died on Friday, July 18, 2025, at the age of 83.
The influential think tank leader passed away surrounded by his loving family, though the specific cause of death has not been disclosed by the Heritage Foundation.
A Conservative Movement Giant
Feulner’s death marks the end of an era for American conservatism. Heritage Foundation President Dr. Kevin Roberts and Board of Trustees Chairman Barb Van Andel-Gaby released a joint statement calling Feulner “more than a leader—he was a visionary, a builder, and a patriot of the highest order.”
“His unwavering love of country and his determination to safeguard the principles that made America the freest, most prosperous nation in human history shaped every fiber of the conservative movement—and still do,” they said.
Key Achievements and Legacy:
- Founded The Heritage Foundation in 1973, transforming it from a small Capitol Hill policy shop into what The New York Times called “the Parthenon of the conservative metropolis”
- Served as president from 1977 to 2013, becoming the longest-serving president in the organization’s history
- Returned briefly as interim president in 2017-2018 during a critical transition period
- Pioneered the “briefcase test” concept, revolutionizing how think tanks influence public policy
- Published the groundbreaking “Mandate for Leadership” series that shaped the Reagan administration and beyond
Early Life and Education
Born on August 12, 1941, in Chicago, Illinois, Edwin John Feulner Jr. was raised in a devout Roman Catholic German-American family. His father owned a real estate firm, and he grew up with three sisters in suburban Chicago.
Feulner’s educational journey included:
- Bachelor’s degree in English from Regis University in Denver (1963)
- MBA from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania
- Ph.D. from the University of Edinburgh
His political awakening came during his college years when he read Barry Goldwater’s “The Conscience of a Conservative” and Russell Kirk’s “The Conservative Mind,” works that would shape his life’s direction.
Building a Conservative Powerhouse
Feulner’s Washington career began as a public affairs fellow before he became a confidential assistant to Representative Melvin R. Laird and later chief of staff to Representative Philip M. Crane.
In 1973, recognizing the need for an innovative conservative policy organization, Feulner co-founded The Heritage Foundation. When he became president in 1977, the organization had a modest budget. Under his leadership:
- Heritage’s budget grew to over $2.5 million within 18 months
- The donor pool expanded to approximately 120,000 supporters
- The foundation became the intellectual arsenal for the Reagan Revolution
- Heritage’s influence extended through multiple Republican administrations
Revolutionary Approach to Policy Making
Feulner revolutionized think tank operations by introducing timely, concise research that could “fit in a briefcase.” This approach meant publishing policy reports ahead of related legislation rather than after, maximizing impact on the legislative process.
“It doesn’t do us any good to have great ideas if we are not out there peddling our products,” Feulner once told The Washington Examiner.
Project 2025 and Recent Involvement
Even in his later years, Feulner remained actively involved in conservative policy-making. He played a significant role in Project 2025, a comprehensive conservative blueprint for future Republican administrations.
Feulner co-wrote the initiative’s afterword and met with President Donald Trump ahead of the 2024 election. He had previously served on Trump’s transition team before his first term in 2016.
Recognition and Awards
Throughout his career, Feulner received numerous accolades:
- Presidential Citizens Medal from President Ronald Reagan (1989)
- Bradley Prize for extraordinary talent and dedication (2012)
- Named one of the 100 most influential conservatives in America by The Daily Telegraph (2007, 2010)
- Ranked as the 6th most powerful conservative in Washington by Karl Rove in Forbes (2009)
- Featured on Fox News Sunday as “Power Player of the Week” (2009)
Author and Thought Leader
Feulner authored nine books on conservative policy and American values, including:
- “The American Spirit”
- “Getting America Right” (co-authored with Doug Wilson)
- “Leadership for America: The Principles of Conservatism”
He also served as publisher of Heritage’s Policy Review magazine and co-founded the popular conservative website Townhall.com.
Feulnerisms: Words to Live By
Feulner was known for his memorable sayings that continue to resonate within Heritage Foundation halls:
- “People are policy” – emphasizing the importance of recruiting and developing conservative talent
- “In Washington, there are no permanent victories and no permanent defeats” – encouraging persistence in policy battles
- “You win through multiplication and addition, not through division and subtraction” – advocating for big-tent conservatism
- “Onward. Always.” – his rallying cry for continuous progress
Tributes Pour In
Political leaders and conservative figures across the nation mourned Feulner’s passing:
House Speaker Mike Johnson tweeted: “God bless the extraordinary legacy of Ed Feulner, and his singular influence upon the conservative movement. Praying tonight for his family and all who mourn his loss. ‘Onward. Always.'”
Senator Mike Lee (R-Utah) added: “God bless Dr. Feulner’s family, as well as his vast Heritage family across the decades, and may this giant of the conservative movement rest in peace. In a time when freedom fighters in Washington were almost extinct, he laid a foundation upon which countless American victories stand today.”
Bridgett Wagner, executive director of Heritage’s Edwin J. Feulner Institute, called him “a giant” whose “wisdom, guidance, eternal optimism, and confidence in our cause inspired countless individuals, built enduring institutions, and shaped the conservative movement profoundly.”
Personal Life and Survivors
Feulner is survived by his wife Linda Claire Leventhal Feulner, their children, and grandchildren. The couple resided in Alexandria, Virginia.
Known as a devoted husband and father, faithful Catholic, and selfless servant in the cause of freedom, Feulner maintained close relationships with thousands of colleagues and supporters throughout his career.
The Heritage Foundation’s Future
Heritage Foundation leaders vowed to honor Feulner’s legacy by “carrying his mission forward with courage, integrity, and determination.”
“Thank you for showing us what one faithful, fearless man can do when he refuses to cede ground in the fight for self-governance,” Roberts and Van Andel-Gaby said in their statement.
As the conservative movement mourns the loss of one of its founding architects, Feulner’s vision for a robust intellectual foundation supporting free markets, limited government, and individual liberty continues through the institution he built and the countless lives he influenced.
A Lasting Impact
Edwin J. Feulner’s death represents more than the loss of a conservative leader—it marks the passing of a transformational figure who fundamentally changed how ideas move from think tanks to policy implementation in Washington.
His innovative approach to policy advocacy, commitment to building conservative intellectual infrastructure, and dedication to mentoring future leaders ensure that his influence will continue for generations to come.
As Heritage Foundation President Kevin Roberts wrote on social media: “Of all the things I’m grateful for, counting a hero as a mentor and a friend is near the top. I will miss him terribly.”
The conservative movement has lost a giant, but Edwin Feulner’s legacy lives on in the institution he built and the principles he championed throughout his remarkable life.
