NEED TO KNOW Russell M. Nelson, the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has died at age 101He was the oldest-ever president of the church after being appointed to lead in January 2018Nelson is survived by his wife, Wendy Watson, eight of his 10 children, 57 grandchildren and over 167 great-grandchildrenRussell M. Nelson, the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has died. Nelson is survived by his wife, Wendy Watson and eight of his 10 children, as well as 57 grandchildren and 167 great-grandchildren. Russell M. Nelson at a devotional in June 2019. Russell M. Nelson and his wife Wendy at the 189th Annual General conference in the Conference Center on April 6, 2019 in Salt Lake City. Utah governor Spencer J. Cox paid tribute to the late leader on X, writing, "Today we mourn the passing of President Russell M. Nelson — a prophet of God, a gentle leader, and a voice for peacemaking."