Early Life and Education of Michael Jordan: A Complete Timeline

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

Michael Jordan, also known as MJ, is a celebrated American businessman and former professional basketball player. Renowned for his 15 seasons in the NBA (1984-2003), he secured six NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls. Jordan played a pivotal role in globalizing basketball and the NBA during the 1980s and 1990s. His outstanding athletic abilities and iconic status transformed him into a worldwide cultural phenomenon.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Legacy & Impact

February 17, 1963: Michael Jordan's Birth

On February 17, 1963, Michael Jeffrey Jordan, also known as MJ, was born. He later became a professional basketball player and businessman.

Others born on this day/year

1968: Family Moved to Wilmington, North Carolina

In 1968, Michael Jordan's family moved to Wilmington, North Carolina.

1981: Accepted Basketball Scholarship to UNC

In 1981, Michael Jordan accepted a basketball scholarship to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he majored in cultural geography.

1986: Graduated from North Carolina

In 1986, Michael Jordan returned to North Carolina to complete his degree, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in geography.

September 2, 1989: Married Juanita Vanoy

On September 2, 1989, Michael Jordan married Juanita Vanoy at A Little White Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas.

1991: Purchased Lot in Highland Park, Illinois

In 1991, Michael Jordan purchased a lot in Highland Park, Illinois, to build a large mansion.

1992: Preparing for retirement and Dream Team run

In the summer of 1992, Michael Jordan started preparing for retirement. The added exhaustion due to the "Dream Team" run in the 1992 Summer Olympics solidified Jordan's feelings about the game and his celebrity status.

July 23, 1993: Murder of James R. Jordan Sr.

On July 23, 1993, Michael Jordan's father, James R. Jordan Sr., was murdered at a highway rest area in Lumberton, North Carolina, by two teenagers, Daniel Green and Larry Martin Demery. They carjacked his Lexus, and his body was found in a South Carolina swamp on August 3.

October 6, 1993: Jordan announces retirement

On October 6, 1993, Michael Jordan announced his retirement from basketball, citing a loss of desire to play. He later attributed the decision to the murder of his father.

1993: NBA Title and First Retirement

In 1993, Michael Jordan secured a three-peat with the Chicago Bulls and then abruptly retired from basketball to play Minor League Baseball.

February 7, 1994: Jordan signs baseball contract

On February 7, 1994, Michael Jordan surprised the sports world by signing a Minor League Baseball (MiLB) contract with the Chicago White Sox to pursue his late father's dream of him becoming a Major League Baseball (MLB) player.

1994: Three-Point Line Movement

From 1994 to 1997, the three-point line was temporarily moved inwards, impacting Michael Jordan's shooting percentages.

March 1995: Return to the Chicago Bulls

In March 1995, Michael Jordan returned to the Chicago Bulls after playing Minor League Baseball.

March 1995: Jordan returns to the court

In March 1995, Michael Jordan returned to the court with the Chicago Bulls to face the Indiana Pacers in Indianapolis, scoring 19 points. Jordan wore No. 45, his baseball number, instead of his original number.

March 18, 1995: Jordan announces NBA comeback

On March 18, 1995, Michael Jordan announced his return to the NBA with a two-word press release: "I'm back."

1995: Completed Highland Park Mansion

In 1995, Michael Jordan completed the construction of his 56,000-square-foot mansion in Highland Park, Illinois.

1995: Jordan trains for the next season

In 1995, Michael Jordan was freshly motivated by the playoff defeat, and he trained aggressively for the 1995–96 season.

1996: Jordan founds Boys & Girls Club

In 1996, Michael Jordan founded a Chicago-area Boys & Girls Club and dedicated it to his father, James R. Jordan Sr.

1996: Bulls start on 69-11 record

In the 1996-97 season, the Chicago Bulls started with a 69-11 record but failed to win 70 games for the second year in a row.

1997: Three-Point Line Movement

From 1994 to 1997, the three-point line was temporarily moved inwards, impacting Michael Jordan's shooting percentages.

1997: "The Flu Game"

In 1997, during Game 5 of the NBA Finals against the Utah Jazz, Michael Jordan played despite being feverish and dehydrated from a stomach virus, known as "The Flu Game". He scored 38 points, including the game-winning three-pointer with 25 seconds remaining, leading the Bulls to a 90–88 victory.

June 14, 1998: Game 6 of NBA Finals

On June 14, 1998, Michael Jordan executed a series of plays in Game 6 of the NBA Finals against the Utah Jazz, considered one of the greatest clutch performances in NBA Finals history.

1998: Autobiography published

In 1998, Michael Jordan's autobiography, "For the Love of the Game", was published. In the book, Jordan wrote that he was preparing for retirement as early as the summer of 1992.

For the Love of the Game - My Story By Michael Jordan

Check it on Amazon

January 1999: Second Retirement

In January 1999, Michael Jordan retired for the second time from the NBA.

January 19, 2000: Return to NBA as Part Owner and President of Basketball Operations for the Washington Wizards

On January 19, 2000, Michael Jordan returned to the NBA, not as a player, but as part owner and president of basketball operations for the Washington Wizards, controlling all aspects of the team's basketball operations and personnel matters.

September 25, 2001: Announcement of Return to NBA with Washington Wizards

On September 25, 2001, Michael Jordan announced his return to the NBA to play for the Washington Wizards, with the intention of donating his salary to a relief effort for the victims of the September 11 attacks.

2001: Return to NBA with Washington Wizards

In 2001, Michael Jordan returned to the NBA for two seasons as a member of the Washington Wizards.

January 4, 2002: Filed for Divorce from Juanita Vanoy

On January 4, 2002, Michael Jordan and Juanita Vanoy filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences, but later reconciled.

2003: Final NBA Season

In 2003, Michael Jordan played his final NBA season as a member of the Washington Wizards.

December 29, 2006: Finalized Divorce from Juanita Vanoy

On December 29, 2006, Michael Jordan and Juanita Vanoy finalized their divorce, with Juanita reportedly receiving a $168 million settlement.

2006: Part-Owner of Charlotte Hornets

In 2006, Michael Jordan became part-owner and head of basketball operations for the Charlotte Hornets (then named the Bobcats).

2010: Bought Controlling Interest in Charlotte Hornets

In 2010, Michael Jordan bought a controlling interest in the Charlotte Hornets.

2011: Proposed to Yvette Prieto

On Christmas 2011, Michael Jordan proposed to his longtime girlfriend, Cuban-American model Yvette Prieto.

2012: Listed Highland Park Mansion for Sale

In 2012, Michael Jordan listed his Highland Park, Illinois mansion for sale.

April 27, 2013: Married Yvette Prieto

On April 27, 2013, Michael Jordan married Yvette Prieto at Bethesda-by-the-Sea Episcopal Church.

November 30, 2013: Announced Expecting First Child with Yvette Prieto

On November 30, 2013, it was announced that Michael Jordan and Yvette Prieto were expecting their first child together.

February 11, 2014: Birth of Twin Daughters

On February 11, 2014, Yvette Prieto gave birth to Michael Jordan's identical twin daughters, Victoria and Ysabel.

2016: First Billionaire Player in NBA History

In 2016, Michael Jordan became the first billionaire player in NBA history and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama.