Jackie Robinson Biography, Net Worth, Age, Wife, Children, Family, Career & Legacy
Jackie Robinson Biography
If you are searching for a complete and trustworthy Jackie Robinson biography that covers Jackie Robinson’s net worth, age, wife, children, family background, education, ethnicity, religion, career journey, and personal life, this detailed guide is written for you.
Jackie Robinson was an American professional baseball player who broke Major League Baseball’s color barrier in 1947 when he debuted with the Brooklyn Dodgers. Born on January 31, 1919, Jackie Robinson became the first African American to play in modern MLB. His courage, discipline, and outstanding performance changed sports history and contributed significantly to the civil rights movement in the United States. Jackie Robinson was married to Rachel Robinson, and together they had three children. At the time of his death in 1972, Jackie Robinson had built a legacy that remains influential worldwide.
This article is designed for students, researchers, sports enthusiasts, and readers in Nigeria and beyond who want accurate, well-organised information about Jackie Robinson without exaggerated claims or unreliable details.
Jackie Robinson Biography: Early Life of Jackie Robinson
Understanding Jackie Robinson’s early life helps us appreciate the strength that defined his later achievements.
Jackie Robinson was born on January 31, 1919, in Cairo, Georgia, United States. His real name was Jack Roosevelt Robinson. He was the youngest of five children in his family.
Jackie Robinson’s father was Jerry Robinson, a sharecropper, while his mother was Mallie Robinson. Shortly after Jackie Robinson was born, his father left the family. This meant Jackie Robinson’s mother had to raise five children alone during a period when racial discrimination was severe in America.
When Jackie Robinson was still a baby, his mother moved the family to Pasadena, California, in search of better opportunities. Life was not easy. The family faced racial prejudice and financial hardship. However, Mallie Robinson instilled discipline, resilience, and faith in her children.
Growing up in Pasadena exposed Jackie Robinson to both opportunity and hostility. He joined neighbourhood groups and later channelled his energy into sports. His early exposure to competitive athletics laid the foundation for his future career.
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Jackie Robinson Biography: Jackie Robinson Date of Birth and Age
Jackie Robinson was born on January 31, 1919.
If he were alive today, Jackie Robinson would be over 100 years old. However, Jackie Robinson died on October 24, 1972, at the age of 53.
Despite his relatively short life, Jackie Robinson achieved milestones that many people do not accomplish in a century.
Jackie Robinson Biography: Jackie Robinson Real Name
Jackie Robinson’s real name was Jack Roosevelt Robinson.
He was named after former U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt, who had died just weeks before Jackie Robinson was born. The name “Jackie” became his popular nickname, especially during his sports career.
Jackie Robinson Biography: Jackie Robinson Education Background
Education played a key role in Jackie Robinson’s development.
Jackie Robinson attended:
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John Muir High School in Pasadena
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Pasadena Junior College
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University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
At UCLA, Jackie Robinson made history by becoming the first student to earn varsity letters in four sports:
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Baseball
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Basketball
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Football
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Track
This achievement alone highlights how gifted Jackie Robinson was as an athlete. However, financial challenges forced him to leave UCLA before graduating.
For many Nigerian students reading this, Jackie Robinson’s story shows that academic and athletic talent can coexist. His university experience shaped his discipline and competitiveness.
Jackie Robinson Biography: Jackie Robinson Career Journey
Jackie Robinson’s career cannot be discussed without addressing its historical importance.
Jackie Robinson Career Before Major League Baseball
Before joining Major League Baseball, Jackie Robinson:
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Played semi-professional football in Hawaii
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Served in the United States Army during World War II
While in the Army, Jackie Robinson faced racial discrimination. In one notable incident, he refused to move to the back of a military bus. Though he was court-martialed, he was eventually acquitted. This event foreshadowed the courage he would later demonstrate in professional sports.
Jackie Robinson Career Breakthrough in MLB
In 1945, Jackie Robinson signed with the Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro Leagues.
Later that year, Branch Rickey, president of the Brooklyn Dodgers, selected Jackie Robinson to help integrate Major League Baseball. Rickey was looking not only for talent but for someone strong enough to endure racial abuse without retaliating violently.
On April 15, 1947, Jackie Robinson debuted for the Brooklyn Dodgers. This moment officially broke the color barrier in modern Major League Baseball.
Jackie Robinson Career Achievements
Jackie Robinson’s career statistics and awards include:
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Rookie of the Year (1947)
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National League Most Valuable Player (1949)
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Six-time All-Star
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World Series Champion (1955)
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Inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame (1962)
Jackie Robinson wore jersey number 42, which has been retired across all MLB teams in his honour.
His performance on the field proved that integration was not just morally right but competitively beneficial.
Jackie Robinson Biography: Jackie Robinson Net Worth
When discussing Jackie Robinson’s net worth, it is important to rely on publicly available historical estimates.
At the time of his death in 1972, Jackie Robinson’s estimated net worth was modest compared to today’s sports stars. Adjusted for inflation, analysts estimate Jackie Robinson’s net worth would be worth several million dollars today.
However, during his era:
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Professional athletes did not earn the massive contracts common today.
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Endorsement deals were limited, especially for African American players.
After retiring from baseball, Jackie Robinson worked as:
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Vice President at Chock full o’Nuts (a coffee company)
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An activist and public speaker
Jackie Robinson’s financial legacy was respectable but not comparable to modern athletes. His real wealth was in his historical impact and leadership.
Readers should verify financial figures from reputable financial publications, as historical net worth estimates can vary.
Jackie Robinson Biography: Jackie Robinson Wife and Personal Life
Jackie Robinson was married to Rachel Robinson.
He met Rachel Isum while they were students at UCLA. Rachel Robinson was educated, intelligent, and deeply supportive of Jackie Robinson’s career.
They married on February 10, 1946.
Rachel Robinson played a significant role in Jackie Robinson’s success. During his MLB career, she endured racial hostility alongside him. After Jackie Robinson’s death, Rachel Robinson continued preserving his legacy through the Jackie Robinson Foundation.
Jackie Robinson Biography: Jackie Robinson Children and Kids
Jackie Robinson and Rachel Robinson had three children:
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Jackie Robinson Jr.
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Sharon Robinson
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David Robinson
Their son, Jackie Robinson Jr., served in the Vietnam War but sadly died in a car accident in 1971.
Sharon Robinson became an author and educator, helping preserve Jackie Robinson’s story.
David Robinson became a coffee farmer in Tanzania.
Jackie Robinson valued family deeply and prioritised discipline, education, and service in raising his children.
Jackie Robinson Biography: Jackie Robinson Father and Mother
Jackie Robinson’s father was Jerry Robinson, a sharecropper.
Jackie Robinson’s mother was Mallie Robinson, who raised the family alone after her husband left.
Mallie Robinson’s determination and parenting shaped Jackie Robinson’s resilience. Many historians credit her influence as central to Jackie Robinson’s character.
Jackie Robinson Biography: Jackie Robinson Ethnicity
Jackie Robinson was African American.
His success in Major League Baseball represented a breakthrough for African Americans who had been excluded from the league due to segregation policies.
Jackie Robinson’s ethnicity became central to his role in civil rights history.
Jackie Robinson Biography: Jackie Robinson Religion
Jackie Robinson was a Christian.
His faith influenced his patience and moral discipline, especially during times when he faced racial insults from fans, players, and even teammates.
While he was not publicly dramatic about religion, many sources indicate that faith played a quiet but steady role in Jackie Robinson’s life.
Jackie Robinson Biography: Jackie Robinson Personal Life and Character
Jackie Robinson was known for:
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Strong self-control
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Strategic thinking
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Courage under pressure
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Commitment to justice
Branch Rickey specifically chose Jackie Robinson because he needed someone strong enough not to fight back physically when abused.
After retiring from baseball in 1956, Jackie Robinson became active in civil rights, business, and political advocacy.
He supported economic empowerment initiatives and spoke openly against racial injustice.
Jackie Robinson Biography: Jackie Robinson Legacy and Historical Impact
Jackie Robinson’s legacy goes beyond sports.
His MLB debut:
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Challenged racial segregation in professional sports
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Inspired future athletes like Hank Aaron and Willie Mays
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Strengthened the broader civil rights movement
Today, April 15 is celebrated annually as Jackie Robinson Day in Major League Baseball, with all players wearing number 42 in his honour.
For readers in Nigeria, Jackie Robinson’s life demonstrates how courage in one profession can influence national history.
Jackie Robinson Biography FAQs About Jackie Robinson Net Worth, Age, Wife, Family and Career
Who was Jackie Robinson?
Jackie Robinson was the first African American to play in modern Major League Baseball.
What is Jackie Robinson’s real name?
Jackie Robinson’s real name was Jack Roosevelt Robinson.
When was Jackie Robinson born?
Jackie Robinson was born on January 31, 1919.
How old was Jackie Robinson when he died?
Jackie Robinson was 53 years old when he died.
Who was Jackie Robinson’s wife?
Jackie Robinson’s wife was Rachel Robinson.
Did Jackie Robinson have children?
Yes, Jackie Robinson had three children.
What was Jackie Robinson’s net worth?
Jackie Robinson’s net worth was modest by modern standards but respectable for his era.
What team did Jackie Robinson play for?
Jackie Robinson played for the Brooklyn Dodgers.
Why is Jackie Robinson important?
Jackie Robinson broke the racial barrier in Major League Baseball.
What was Jackie Robinson’s ethnicity?
Jackie Robinson was African American.
What religion was Jackie Robinson?
Jackie Robinson practiced Christianity.
Who were Jackie Robinson’s parents?
Jackie Robinson’s parents were Jerry Robinson and Mallie Robinson.
What awards did Jackie Robinson win?
Jackie Robinson won Rookie of the Year and MVP awards, among others.
When did Jackie Robinson retire?
Jackie Robinson retired in 1956.
Is Jackie Robinson in the Hall of Fame?
Yes, Jackie Robinson was inducted in 1962.
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