- Both of his parents, both of his grandfathers, four of his great-grandparents, five of his great-great-grandparents, and seven of his great-great-great-grandparents bore the surname Helms.
- U.S. senator from North Carolina (3 January 1973 - 3 January 2003).
- Due to recurring health problems, including bone disorder, prostate cancer and heart disease, Helms did not seek re-election in 2002. In April 2006 it was revealed that he had vascular dementia.
- Fervently pro-smoking, he quit smoking unfiltered Lucky Strikes in 1992 after undergoing heart surgery.
- Inducted into the Raleigh [North Carolina] Hall of Fame in 2006.
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