Jackie Robinson stands as a transformative figure in both sports and American civil rights history. Born into a humble sharecropping family in Georgia and raised in California, he became the first Black player in the modern era of Brooklyn Dodgers Major League Baseball when he debuted in April 1947. His extraordinary athletic talent, combined with his moral courage and quiet leadership, helped break the racial colour barrier in professional baseball and paved the way for generations of athletes.
“Life is not a spectator sport,” Robinson once said—an apt reflection of both his playing style and his public life. This biography will trace his early life, education, career, net worth and lifestyle, and personal/family life, highlighting why his story endures long after the final pitch. Jackie Robinson (1919–1972) was an American baseball legend who broke Major League Baseball’s color barrier with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947. A gifted multi-sport athlete from UCLA, Robinson became a symbol of courage and equality, forever changing the game and the nation
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Highlights of Jackie Robinson Biography
- Full Name: Jack Roosevelt Robinson
- Born: January 31, 1919 — Cairo, Georgia
- Died: October 24, 1972 — Stamford, Connecticut
- Known For: First Black major-leaguer in the modern era, barrier-breaker in MLB
- Major League Debut: April 15, 1947 with Brooklyn Dodgers
- Education: Pasadena Junior College; University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
- Wife: Rachel Isum Robinson (married 1946–1972)
- Children: Jack Jr., Sharon, and David
- Estimated Net Worth: No definitive figure, moderate post-career business investments and activism
Early Life
Jackie Robinson was born on January 31, 1919 in Cairo, Georgia, to sharecroppers Jerry and Mallie Robinson. He was the youngest of five children in the family. After his father left the family in 1920, his mother relocated the family to Pasadena, California, where young Jackie and his siblings experienced economic hardship but also found athletic opportunity.
In high school at John Muir High School in Pasadena, Robinson excelled in sports — baseball, basketball, football, and track. His older brother Mack Robinson had already earned a silver medal in the 1936 Berlin Olympics, serving as an inspiration. Robinson’s diverse athletic ability foreshadowed his future versatility and competitive spirit.
Education
After high school, Robinson attended Pasadena Junior College where he continued to shine as a multi-sport athlete. He then enrolled at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where he made history as the first Bruin to earn varsity letters in four sports — baseball, basketball, football and track. Financial pressures and personal responsibilities led him to leave UCLA short of graduation. While formal educational credentials were limited, his schooling years provided discipline, competitive experience, and exposure to leadership through sport.
Career / Professional Journey
Jackie Robinson’s professional journey is marked by pioneering achievement and sustained excellence. After serving in the U.S. Army during World War II, Robinson joined the Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro Leagues before being signed by Branch Rickey to the Brooklyn Dodgers organization. On April 15, 1947, he broke the modern colour barrier in Major League Baseball, playing his first game for the Dodgers.
Robinson’s rookie season earned him Rookie of the Year honors, and in 1949 he won the National League batting title and was named league MVP. Over his ten-season MLB career (1947-1956), he posted a lifetime batting average of .311 and played in six World Series, helping the Dodgers win the 1955 championship.
Beyond statistics, Robinson endured racial hostility from fans, opponents, and even some fellow players—yet maintained dignity and focus, becoming a symbol of change in American sports and society. After retiring from baseball, Robinson pursued business ventures and became an active voice in civil rights.
Net Worth and Lifestyle
Exact figures for Jackie Robinson’s net worth at the time of his death in 1972 are difficult to verify, but his earnings as a pioneer athlete combined with business interests (including executive roles post-retirement) give some indication of moderate financial success. Unlike today’s athletes, his playing compensation was modest by modern standards, and a substantial portion of his legacy lies in his social impact rather than wealth accumulation. His lifestyle reflected dignity, purpose, and community engagement more than extravagance.
Personal Life
In 1946 Jackie Robinson married Rachel Isum, whom he met during his time at UCLA where she studied nursing. The couple had three children: Jack Jr. (born 1946), Sharon (1950), and David (1952). After his playing career, Robinson and his wife became active in business and civil-rights advocacy; Rachel became a prominent nurse and philanthropist in her own right. Jackie Robinson passed away on October 24, 1972, at the age of 53. His family legacy continues through the work of the Jackie Robinson Foundation and other charitable efforts.
Conclusion
Jackie Robinson’s story is not only one of athletic greatness, but also of moral courage, perseverance and social change. From a young boy relocated to California to a national icon who broke major-league baseball’s colour barrier, his life reminds us that individual excellence can become collective progress. His legacy extends well beyond baseball — into civil rights, education, and the power of sport to transform society. Jackie Robinson changed the game, changed America, and changed history.
FAQs About Jackie Robinson
How old was Jackie Robinson when he died?
He was 53 years old when he died on October 24, 1972.
What was Jackie Robinson’s educational background?
He attended Pasadena Junior College and UCLA, where he earned varsity letters in four sports, but left college before completing a degree.
Is Jackie Robinson married?
Yes — he married Rachel Isum in 1946, and they remained married until his death in 1972.
What are Jackie Robinson’s most famous achievements?
He broke baseball’s modern colour barrier in 1947, was named Rookie of the Year that year, won the NL batting title and MVP in 1949, and helped lead the Dodgers to the 1955 World Series title.
What was Jackie Robinson’s nationality?
He was American, born in Cairo, Georgia, United States.
How did Jackie Robinson become famous?
By becoming the first Black player in the modern era of Major League Baseball and performing at an elite level under enormous pressure and racial discrimination.
What was Jackie Robinson’s net worth?
While no exact figure is publicly confirmed, his wealth was modest by modern athlete standards and he invested in business and civil-rights endeavors after his playing career.
