About Sala Burton
Lived 1925 – 1987 (aged 61). Sala Burton was an American and Polish politician.
Sala Burton (née Galante; April 1, 1925 – February 1, 1987) was a Polish-born American politician who served as a United States representative from California from 1983 until her death from colon cancer in Washington, D.C., in 1987.
Early life and education She was born Sala Galante into a Jewish family in Białystok, Poland, on April 1, 1925. The family immigrated to the US in 1939, before the German invasion of Poland, and she attended public schools in San Francisco and then the University of San Francisco.
She was reelected to the two succeeding Congress terms and mentored her successor and future Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who replaced Burton after her death in 1987.
Personal life Galante married Irving Lipschultz. Together, they had one daughter, Joy.
Electoral history
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Frequently asked questions
Who was Sala Burton?
American politician (1925-1987)
When was Sala Burton born?
Sala Burton was born on 1 April 1925 in Białystok.
When did Sala Burton die?
Sala Burton died on 1 February 1987 in Washington, D.C..
What was Sala Burton's occupation?
Sala Burton was a politician.
What nationality was Sala Burton?
Sala Burton was American and Polish.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Sala Burton. https://biography.guide/sala-burton/
MLA: "Sala Burton." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/sala-burton/.
Chicago: "Sala Burton." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/sala-burton/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-21 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
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