Deloris Jordan is a celebrity mother who initially made it to the spotlight as a result of her son’s fame. She is also an 83-year-old philanthropist and author of many publications including Salt in His Shoes (2000), Did I Tell You I Love You Today? (2004) and Michael’s Golden Rules (2007).
Despite her demanding schedules, Deloris has managed to maintain good parenting skills for the children she had with her late husband James R. Jordan, Sr., who was tragically murdered on July 23, 1993.
Short Bio of Deloris Jordan
Deloris Jordan was born in September 1941 in Rocky Point, North Carolina, and raised in Rose Hill, North Carolina. She attended Charity High School in Rose Hill, North Carolina and it was in the same school that she met James Raymond Jordan Sr. in 1954. Jordan Sr. then asked Deloris’ father for permission to take her on a date shortly after and this marked the start of their love story.
She Married Jordan Sr. in 1956
Deloris moved to Alabama to enroll in a trade school after graduating from high school, while Jordan Sr. enlisted in the Air Force and relocated to San Antonio, Texas. She moved to Virginia in 1956 after Jordan Sr. was transferred to a base there. After being married, the couple had James Ronald “Ronnie” Jr. as their first child.
Jordan Sr. made the decision to leave the Air Force and start working in a textile factory by the time they welcomed their daughter. After that, the couple constructed their first house together and had Larry as their third child. In all, the couple’s children are Jeffrey Michael Jordan, Marcus Jordan, Jasmine M. Jordan, Justin Jordan, and Alexis Jordan.
Her Husband was Murdered in 1989
James Sr. was shot and killed in Robeson County, North Carolina, in July 1993 while he slept in his car at a rest area for drivers. His body was discovered after being dumped off a bridge in South Carolina 11 days later.
In 1996, Larry Demery and Daniel Andre Green, two juvenile offenders, were found guilty of first-degree murder, armed robbery, and conspiracy to commit robbery and were given a life sentence after evidence showed there were connected to James Sr.’s death. Demery received parole in 2020 with an initial release date of August 2023; however, the North Carolina Post-Release Supervision and Parole Commission revoked the arrangement in 2021 for an unspecified reason.
Deloris Jordan is known for Her Numerous Charity Works
Deloris Jordan is more than just Michael Jordan’s mother. She is known to have established multiple charities and has served as the President and Founder of the James R. Jordan Foundation for almost two decades.
In Nairobi, Kenya, she also founded the Kenya Women and Children’s Wellness Center. She was given the Clinton Global Initiative Award in 2005, and she still gives back to her community through numerous avenues.
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She is also an Author
In addition to being a board member of the Jordan Institute for Families at the University of North Carolina School of Social Work, Mrs. Jordan is a New York Times bestselling author and has written many children’s books on her own and with her daughter Rosyln. Some of these books are Salt in His Shoes and Michael’s Golden Rules.
Deloris discussed the sources of inspiration for her first children’s book, Salt in His Shoes, in an interview with ESPN in September 2009. When Michael expressed a wish to grow bigger as a child, she recalled the incident and advised him to “go put salt in your shoes and pray.”
Furthermore, Deloris stated that she credits her charitable work in schools and her position as a mother of five for her ability to compose interesting and educational content for youngsters.
Deloris Jordan has Played a Significant role in Michael Jordan’s Professional Career
Michael Jeffrey Jordan, who is a 61-year-old American former professional basketball player and businessman almost didn’t sign a contract with Nike in 1984, despite the fact that the two now go hand in hand. In The Last Dance, the basketball player discussed how his parents persuaded him to go to a meeting with Nike despite his initial desire to sign with Adidas. Michael’s initial contract with Nike gave him a signature shoe, the now iconic Air Jordan sneaker, and a $250,000 paycheck.
Meanwhile, Michael Jordan paid homage to individuals who have influenced his legacy. In 2021 with the Dear Deloris shoe, a component of his Jordan Series, he paid tribute to his mother’s contribution to his achievement.
