BREAKING: Devastating Tragedy Engulfs Ted Cruzs Family... He Needs Your Support Senator Ted Cruz has become one of the top presidential candidates for the GOP in the 2016 election. Given his charisma, it would be hard to know that Cruz is still haunted by a family tragedy that he struggles with every day. A little over two years ago, Cruzs sister Miriam died of a drug overdose. She was only 49 years old. Miriam struggled with drug addiction throughout her entire life. Cruz and his family had tried to reach out several times, but were unsuccessful in their efforts to keep her safe. In his book, Cruz describes his sisters a beautiful..quite intelligent and incredibly loving. Though she was a sweet person with a good heart, she slowly surrendered to her wild side, he concluded. I found it hard to reconcile the bright, fun, charismatic sister I adored with the person who would lie to me without hesitation and who stole money from her teenage brother to feed her various addictions. Some family members believe that the addiction began with prescription pills Miriam was taking for a car accident. Following the divorce from an abusive marriage, Miriam was arrested multiple times for possession and shoplifting. Cruz last attempt to save his sister was with his father, when they attempted to rescue Miriam from the crackhouse she was living in. Despite his attempts, Miriam died of an overdose. Fortunately, her son Joe grew up to be a strong and responsible man. He still keeps contact with the family. 