Born to a Slovenian mother and Serb father, Voinovich served as mayor of Cleveland, governor of Ohio and 12 years as federal senator. He was a moderate Republican.

Voinovich was a great friend of Slovenia and had actively advocated the country's accession to NATO, supported it and lobbied for it in other fields.

He had been respected by the entire Slovenian community in Cleveland, Ohio and throughout the US.

His widow Janet announced that he had died peacefully in his sleep the night to Sunday.