Early Life and Education of Jimmy Hoffa: A Complete Timeline

Discover the defining moments in the early life of Jimmy Hoffa. From birth to education, explore key events.

Jimmy Hoffa was a prominent American labor union leader, most notably serving as the president of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) from 1957 to 1971. His career was consistently shadowed by allegations of connections to organized crime. Hoffa vanished in 1975 under mysterious circumstances, becoming one of the most famous missing persons in American history. His disappearance has fueled countless theories and remains unsolved, solidifying his controversial legacy.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

1903: Founding of The Teamsters

In 1903, The Teamsters was founded, had 75,000 members in 1933.

1907: Daniel J. Tobin President

In 1907, Daniel J. Tobin was president of IBT.

February 14, 1913: James Riddle Hoffa Born

James Riddle Hoffa was born on February 14, 1913. He would later become the president of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.

February 14, 1913: Birth of James Riddle Hoffa

On February 14, 1913, James Riddle Hoffa was born in Brazil, Indiana, to John and Viola Hoffa.

1920: Death of Hoffa's Father

In 1920, Hoffa's father died from lung disease when Hoffa was seven years old.

1924: Family Moves to Detroit

In 1924, Hoffa's family moved to Detroit, where he was raised and lived for the rest of his life.

1932: Leaves Grocery Chain

By 1932, after refusing to work for an abusive shift foreman, Hoffa left the grocery chain, partly because of his union activities.

1933: Hoffa and The Teamsters

In 1933, The Teamsters had 75,000 members.

September 25, 1936: Marriage to Josephine Poszywak

On September 25, 1936, Jimmy Hoffa married Josephine Poszywak in Bowling Green, Ohio. They met six months earlier during a laundry workers' strike.

1939: Family Home in Detroit

In 1939, The Hoffas paid $6,800 for a modest home in northwestern Detroit.

1952: Marvin Elkind Assigned as Chauffeur

In 1952, Marvin Elkind, a petty criminal living in New York, was assigned by gangster Anthony Salerno to work as Hoffa's chauffeur.

1955: IBT Headquarters Moved

In 1955, the IBT moved its headquarters from Indianapolis to Washington, DC.

1960: Election of John F. Kennedy

When John F. Kennedy was elected president in 1960, he appointed his younger brother Robert as Attorney General.

1961: Robert Kennedy as Attorney General

In 1961, Robert Kennedy became Attorney General and pursued a strong attack on organized crime and carried on with a so-called "Get Hoffa" squad of prosecutors and investigators.

December 5, 1962: Attack by Warren Swanson

During a court hearing on December 5, 1962, a former mental patient, Warren Swanson, fired several pellets at Hoffa. Hoffa punched Swanson and knocked him down.

1967: Fitzsimmons Named Acting President

When Hoffa entered prison in 1967, Frank Fitzsimmons was named acting president of the union.

December 23, 1971: Hoffa released from prison

On December 23, 1971, Jimmy Hoffa was released from prison after US President Richard Nixon commuted his sentence to time served, less than five years into his 13-year sentence. Hoffa was also awarded a $1.75 million termination benefit by the Teamsters Retirement and Family Protection Plan.

1973: Dean becomes a government witness in the Watergate scandal

By mid-1973, John Dean, former White House counsel to Nixon, had become famous as a government witness in prosecutions arising from the Watergate scandal.

March 6, 1980: Restriction on Hoffa's labor involvement

Jimmy Hoffa's commutation from Nixon included a restriction preventing him from engaging in the direct or indirect management of any labor organization until March 6, 1980.