Michael Jordan, widely considered one of basketball's greatest players, significantly boosted the NBA's global popularity in the 80s and 90s. During his 15 seasons (1984-2003), he secured six NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls. Beyond basketball, Jordan is a successful businessman and minority owner of the Charlotte Hornets. His estimated net worth is $3.8 billion as of 2025, making him one of the world's wealthiest celebrities.
On February 17, 1963, Michael Jeffrey Jordan, later known as one of basketball's greatest players, was born. He is also known by his initials MJ.
In 1968, Michael Jordan's family moved to Wilmington, North Carolina, marking a significant change in his early life.
Since 1976, the year of the ABA–NBA merger, Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen are the only two players to win six NBA Finals playing for one team.
During his rookie 1984–85 season with the Bulls, Jordan helped the Bulls improve from 27–55 to 38–44 and qualify for the postseason for the first time since the 1980–81 season
In 1980, Michael Jordan accepted a basketball scholarship to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he majored in cultural geography, initially considering a career as a meteorologist.
In 1981, as a senior, Michael Jordan was selected for the McDonald's All-American Game, where he scored 30 points.
In 1982, Michael Jordan made the game-winning jump shot in the NCAA Championship game against Georgetown, a moment he described as a major turning point in his basketball career.
In 1982, Michael Jordan, as a freshman, was a member of the North Carolina Tar Heels' national championship team.
In 1983, Michael Jordan debuted as a college player for the U.S. national basketball team at the Pan American Games in Caracas, Venezuela, leading the team in scoring with 17.3 ppg and winning the gold medal.
In 1983, Michael Jordan was selected by consensus to the NCAA All-American First Team during his sophomore season, recognizing his exceptional performance.
In 1983, Michael Jordan won a gold medal as part of the United States national team at the Pan American Games.
By November 1984, Michael Jordan's talent in his first NBA season was so apparent that he was being compared to Julius Erving.
In 1984, Michael Jordan began his 15-season NBA career, marking a pivotal moment in the sport's history.
In 1984, Michael Jordan was drafted by the Chicago Bulls as the third overall pick, marking the beginning of his professional career with the team.
In 1984, Michael Jordan was selected by the Chicago Bulls with the third overall pick in the NBA draft.
In 1984, Michael Jordan won an Olympic gold medal, starting a successful international career.
In 1984, Michael Jordan won another gold medal at the Summer Olympics, averaging 17.1 ppg and leading the U.S. team in scoring.
In 1984, Nike created a signature shoe for Michael Jordan called the Air Jordan, which led to the creation of the Jordan Brand.
In 1984, Nike introduced Air Jordan sneakers, which were endorsed by Michael Jordan and became highly successful.
On April 20, 1986, after Michael Jordan set the single-game playoff record of 63 points against the Boston Celtics, Larry Bird described him as "God disguised as Michael Jordan".
From 1986-87, Michael Jordan started a long streak of not missing four or more games in a season, showcasing his durability as a player.
In 1986, Michael Jordan returned to North Carolina to complete his degree in geography.
In the 1986-87 season, Michael Jordan had one of the most prolific scoring seasons in NBA history, becoming the only player other than Wilt Chamberlain to score 3,000 points in a season.
In 1987, Michael Jordan won the Slam Dunk Contest, showcasing his athletic leaping ability and influencing a generation of young players.
In 1987–88 season, Michael Jordan won his first league MVP Award and was named the NBA Defensive Player of the Year.
In 1988, Michael Jordan began a string of seasons with high effective field goal percentages, showcasing his offensive efficiency.
In 1988, Michael Jordan was honored with both the NBA Defensive Player of the Year and Most Valuable Player awards, achieving a feat previously unmatched in NBA history.
In 1988, Michael Jordan won his second consecutive Slam Dunk Contest championship, further solidifying his influence on young players and his legacy in the NBA.
During the 1989-90 season, Michael Jordan showed improvement in his three-point shooting, achieving a 37% success rate.
In the 1989-90 season, the Bulls entered as a team on the rise, with a core group of Jordan, Pippen, and Grant.
On March 28, 1990, Michael Jordan scored a career-high 69 points in a 117–113 road win over the Cavaliers.
In 1990, Michael Jordan won his second MVP award, averaging 31.5 points per game with a 53.9% shooting accuracy, 6.0 rebounds per game, and 5.5 assists per game. The Bulls secured the first position in their division for the first time in sixteen years and achieved a franchise record with 61 regular-season wins.
In 1990, Michael Jordan's automotive group acquired a Nissan dealership in Durham, North Carolina.
In 1991, Jordan continued his dominance with the Bulls, achieving a 67-15 record and winning his second consecutive MVP award with averages of 30.1 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 6.1 assists per game, while shooting at 52%.
In 1991, Michael Jordan allegedly paid Karla Knafel $250,000 to keep their relationship a secret and to prevent her from filing a paternity suit. A DNA test later showed that Jordan was not the father of the child.
In 1991, Michael Jordan won his first NBA title with the Chicago Bulls, solidifying his status as a top player.
Since 1991, Michael Jordan has appeared in over 20 commercials for Gatorade, including the "Be Like Mike" commercials.
In 1992, Jordan had a 32.6 points per game, 6.7 rebounds per game, and 5.5 assists per game campaign, including a second-place finish in Defensive Player of the Year voting.
In 1992, Michael Jordan continued his streak of seasons with a high field goal percentage, demonstrating his consistent offensive performance.
In 1992, Michael Jordan secured another NBA title with the Bulls and won a gold medal with the United States national team at the Summer Olympics. He also played for the United States national team during the 1992 Tournament of the Americas.
In 1992, a Nike commercial shown during Super Bowl XXVI featured Michael Jordan and Bugs Bunny playing basketball.
In 1997, the Bulls won the Eastern Conference Championship for a third straight season, including surviving a seven-game series with the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals; it was the first time Jordan had played in a Game 7 since the 1992 Eastern Conference Semifinals with the New York Knicks.
In the 1992-93 season, Michael Jordan maintained a strong three-point shooting performance, achieving a 35% success rate.
On July 23, 1993, James R. Jordan Sr., Michael Jordan's father, was murdered at a highway rest area in Lumberton, North Carolina. His car was carjacked by two teenagers.
On October 6, 1993, Michael Jordan announced his retirement from basketball, citing a loss of desire to play. He later revealed that his father's murder three months prior influenced his decision, though exhaustion from basketball also played a key role.
In 1993, Michael Jordan and the Bulls won their third NBA championship, with Jordan averaging a Finals-record 41.0 points per game and winning his third consecutive Finals MVP award. Despite a stellar regular season, Jordan lost the MVP award to Charles Barkley.
In 1993, Michael Jordan retired from the NBA. Although denied by the league commissioner, rumors spread that it was a secret suspension by the league for gambling.
In 1993, Michael Jordan was seen gambling in Atlantic City during the NBA playoffs. Also in 1993, author Richard Esquinas claimed he won $1.25 million from Jordan on the golf course.
In 1993, Michael Jordan won his third consecutive NBA title with the Bulls and then abruptly retired to play Minor League Baseball.
On November 1, 1994, the Chicago Bulls retired Michael Jordan's No. 23 in a ceremony, including the erection of "The Spirit" sculpture outside the new United Center.
From 1994 to 1997, Michael Jordan increased his three-point percentage, although the three-point line was temporarily moved inwards during those years.
In 1994, the Bulls went 55-27 without Jordan in the lineup and lost to the New York Knicks in the second round of the playoffs.
The text references Michael Jordan's first retirement in 1994 and his return to the NBA, where he played only 17 games before returning to play a total of 60 games.
In March 1995, Jordan decided to quit baseball and returned to the Bulls midway through the season.
On March 18, 1995, Michael Jordan announced his return to the NBA with a simple two-word press release: "I'm back."
On March 28, 1995, Michael Jordan scored 55 points against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden, marking a significant moment in his comeback season after his hiatus from the NBA.
In 1995, Jordan trained aggressively for the 1995-96 season after the playoff defeat.
In 1995, Michael Jordan returned to the Chicago Bulls after a brief stint in Minor League Baseball.
In 1995, Michael Jordan's automotive group acquired a Lincoln-Mercury dealership.
In 1995, NBA commissioner David Stern denied rumors that Michael Jordan's 1993 retirement was a secret suspension by the league for gambling.
In the September 1996 issue of Sport, which was the publication's 50th-anniversary issue, Michael Jordan was named the greatest athlete of the past 50 years.
In 1996, David Thompson was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, and would later present Michael Jordan during his own induction speech in 2009.
In 1996, Michael Jordan led the Bulls to another NBA championship and a record of 72 regular season wins.
In 1996, Michael Jordan played himself in the comedy film Space Jam, which became a box office success.
In 1996, Michael Jordan was named one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History, recognizing his significant contributions and achievements in basketball.
In the 1996-97 season, the Bulls stood at a 69–11 record but ended the season by losing their final two games to finish the year 69–13, missing out on a second consecutive 70-win season.
During the 1997–98 NBA season, an NBA Entertainment crew shot candid film of Michael Jordan and his teammates' off-court activities for use in a documentary, which was later released as The Last Dance in 2020.
From 1994 to 1997, Michael Jordan increased his three-point percentage, although the three-point line was temporarily moved inwards during those years.
In 1997, Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls won their fifth NBA championship.
In 1997, despite being ill during Game 5 of the NBA Finals, Jordan scored 38 points, including the game-winning three-pointer. The Bulls won the series, and Jordan received his fifth Finals MVP award. He also posted the first triple-double in All-Star Game history.
On June 14, 1998, during Game 6 of the NBA Finals, Michael Jordan executed a series of clutch plays in the final minute, including a shot over several Jazz defenders, cutting Utah's lead to 86-85. He then stole the ball from Malone.
By 1998, during the season of his Finals-winning shot against the Jazz, Michael Jordan was well known throughout the league as a clutch performer, always asking for the ball in crucial moments.
During the 1998 labor dispute, Michael Jordan advised Washington Wizards owner Abe Pollin that he should sell his team if he couldn't make a profit.
In 1998, Jordan's autobiography "For the Love of the Game" revealed that he was contemplating retirement as early as the summer of 1992.
In 1998, Michael Jordan led the Chicago Bulls to their sixth NBA championship.
In 1998, Michael Jordan made the climactic shot of his Bulls career with 5.2 seconds left in Game 6 of the NBA Finals, leading the Bulls to their sixth NBA championship. Jordan was voted Finals MVP for a record sixth time, averaging 33.5 points per game in the series.
In 1998, Michael Jordan played in the opening game of the NBA Finals. His jersey from this game was later sold for a record amount.
The 1998 NBA playoffs, specifically Michael Jordan's career with the Chicago Bulls, were featured in the 2000 IMAX documentary Michael Jordan to the Max.
On January 13, 1999, Michael Jordan retired for the second time, citing Phil Jackson's contract expiring, the pending departures of Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman, and an owner-induced lockout of NBA players.
In January 1999, Michael Jordan claimed he was "99.9% certain" he would never play another NBA game, marking a seemingly definitive end to his basketball career at that time.
In December 1999, Michael Jordan was ranked the greatest North American athlete of the 20th century by an ESPN survey of journalists, athletes, and other sports figures.
In 1999, Michael Jordan was named the 20th century's greatest North American athlete by ESPN, highlighting his lasting impact on sports.
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.
In 2000, Michael Jordan was the subject of an IMAX documentary about his career with the Chicago Bulls, especially the 1998 NBA playoffs, titled Michael Jordan to the Max.
On September 25, 2001, Michael Jordan announced his return to the NBA to play for the Washington Wizards, intending to donate his salary to 9/11 relief efforts.
During the 2001 NBA Finals, Phil Jackson compared Michael Jordan's dominance to Shaquille O'Neal, emphasizing Jordan's ability to play through fouls and create scoring opportunities.
In 2001, Michael Jordan began hosting an annual golf tournament, the Michael Jordan Celebrity Invitational, which raised money for various charities.
In 2001, Michael Jordan returned to the NBA, joining the Washington Wizards for two seasons.
In 2001, during his time with the Wizards, Michael Jordan criticized his teammates, including Kwame Brown (the number one draft pick in 2001), for their lack of focus and intensity.
In 2001, inspired by Mario Lemieux's NHL comeback, Michael Jordan expressed interest in returning to the NBA. He trained extensively and hired Doug Collins as the Washington Wizards' coach, hinting at a potential comeback.
In 2001-02, Michael Jordan missed games due to a right knee injury, breaking his streak of playing full seasons without missing significant games.
In the 2001 NBA draft, Jordan used the first pick to select high school student Kwame Brown, who did not meet expectations and was later traded.
On January 4, 2002, Michael and Juanita Jordan filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences, but reconciled shortly thereafter.
In 2002, Michael Jordan was selected to the ACC 50th Anniversary men's basketball team and named the greatest athlete in ACC history.
In 2002, while Jordan was with the Wizards, Richard "Rip" Hamilton was traded for Jerry Stackhouse, a decision that may have been influenced by Jordan's mixed results during his tenure. At the time, Jordan was not technically the Director of Basketball Operations.
On February 21, 2003, Michael Jordan became the first 40-year-old to score 43 points in an NBA game during his stint with the Washington Wizards.
On April 16, 2003, Michael Jordan played his final NBA game in Philadelphia, scoring 13 points. He received a standing ovation after being intentionally fouled out of the game.
On May 7, 2003, Abe Pollin, owner of the Washington Wizards, fired Michael Jordan from his position as Director of Basketball Operations.
In 2003, Michael Jordan concluded his professional basketball career after 15 seasons in the NBA.
On June 15, 2006, Michael Jordan purchased a minority stake in the Charlotte Bobcats (later known as the Hornets), becoming the team's second-largest shareholder and taking control over basketball operations.
On December 29, 2006, Michael Jordan's divorce from Juanita Vanoy was finalized, with both parties commenting that the decision was made mutually and amicably.
In 2006, Michael Jordan became part-owner and head of basketball operations for the Charlotte Bobcats (later renamed the Hornets).
In 2006, NBA commissioner David Stern again denied the rumor that Michael Jordan's 1993 retirement was a secret suspension by the league for gambling.
In 2008, Michael Jordan's yearly income from endorsements was estimated to be over $40 million.
In 2008, the Make-A-Wish Foundation named Michael Jordan its Chief Wish Ambassador.
Between June 2009 and June 2010, Michael Jordan earned $55 million, contributing to his ranking as the 20th most powerful celebrity by Forbes in June 2010.
In August 2009, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame opened an exhibit dedicated to Michael Jordan, celebrating his illustrious career.
In September 2009, Michael Jordan was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. He chose David Thompson to present him and delivered an emotional induction speech that later spawned the "Crying Jordan" meme.
In 2009, Michael Jordan was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame for his individual career achievements.
In 2009, Michael Jordan's Lincoln-Mercury dealership closed.
In February 2010, reports surfaced that Michael Jordan was seeking majority ownership of the Charlotte Bobcats.
In June 2010, Forbes ranked Michael Jordan as the 20th most powerful celebrity in the world, noting he earned $55 million between June 2009 and June 2010.
In 2010, Michael Jordan bought a controlling interest in the Charlotte Hornets, solidifying his ownership stake.
In 2010, Michael Jordan was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as a member of the 1992 United States men's Olympic basketball team, known as "The Dream Team".
In 2010, Ron Shelton, the director of "Jordan Rides the Bus," stated that he initially believed the NBA had suspended Jordan in 1993, but research convinced him it was nonsense.
During the 2011 NBA lockout, Michael Jordan led a group of hardline owners seeking to cap the players' share of basketball-related income.
During the 2011–12 NBA season, shortened by a lockout, the Charlotte Bobcats posted a 7–59 record, closing out the season with a 23-game losing streak, resulting in the worst winning percentage in NBA history.
In 2012, Michael Jordan listed his Highland Park mansion for sale.
On April 27, 2013, Michael Jordan married Yvette Prieto at Bethesda-by-the-Sea Episcopal Church.
On November 30, 2013, it was announced that Michael Jordan and Yvette Prieto were expecting their first child together.
In 2013, Michael Jordan Motorsports, a professional motorcycle road racing team owned by Jordan, concluded its participation in the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) Superbike championship.
In 2013, Michael Jordan granted his 200th wish for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
In 2013, the Charlotte Bobcats were rebranded as the Hornets. Michael Jordan was a minority owner at this time.
On February 11, 2014, Yvette Prieto gave birth to identical twin daughters named Victoria and Ysabel.
In June 2014, Michael Jordan became the first NBA player to achieve billionaire status after increasing his stake in the Charlotte Hornets.
In 2014, Michael Jordan became the first billionaire player in NBA history, marking a significant financial milestone.
In 2014, Michael Jordan's annual golf tournament, the Michael Jordan Celebrity Invitational, which had been raising money for various charities, ended.
In 2015, Michael Jordan's income was estimated at $110 million, the most of any retired athlete, derived from his Jordan Brand income and endorsements.
In 2015, the Golden State Warriors broke the Bulls' record of 72-10, which was the best regular season record in NBA history at the time.
In 2016, Michael Jordan was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama, recognizing his contributions.
In 2016, Michael Jordan was honored by President Barack Obama with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, recognizing his contributions to sports and American culture.
In 2017, Forbes designated Michael Jordan as the athlete with the highest career earnings.
In 2017, Michael Jordan donated $7 million to fund two Novant Health Michael Jordan Family Clinics in Charlotte, North Carolina.
In 2018, Michael Jordan's steakhouse in New York City's Grand Central Terminal closed.
As of 2019, Michael Jordan had raised more than $5 million for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
During the 2019 NBA offseason, Michael Jordan sold a minority piece of the Charlotte Hornets to Gabe Plotkin and Daniel Sundheim, retaining the majority for himself and the role of chairman.
Following Hurricane Dorian in 2019, Michael Jordan donated $1 million to aid the Bahamas' recovery.
On June 5, 2020, in response to the protests following the murder of George Floyd, Michael Jordan and his brand announced a joint statement that they would be donating $100 million over the next 10 years to organizations dedicated to ensuring racial equality, social justice and greater access to education.
In August 2020, the shoes Michael Jordan wore during the Nike exhibition game where he shattered the backboard on August 26, 1985, were auctioned for $615,000, setting a record for a pair of sneakers.
In September 2020, Michael Jordan became an investor and advisor for DraftKings.
On September 21, 2020, Michael Jordan and NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin announced they would be fielding a NASCAR Cup Series team with Bubba Wallace driving, starting in the 2021 season.
In 2020, The Last Dance, an Emmy-winning documentary series focusing on Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls, was released.
In 2020, the Emmy Award-winning The Last Dance, a 10-part TV documentary about Michael Jordan's life, debuted on ESPN.
In February 2021, Michael Jordan funded two Novant Health Michael Jordan Family Clinics in New Hanover County, North Carolina, by giving $10 million.
In October 2021, Michael Jordan was named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team, recognizing him as one of the greatest players in NBA history.
In 2021, Michael Jordan was selected to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team, solidifying his status as one of the greatest players in the history of the sport.
In 2021, a ticket stub from Michael Jordan's NBA debut game on October 26, 1984, sold at auction for $264,000, setting a record for a collectible ticket stub.
In 2021, the NASCAR Cup Series team 23XI Racing, co-owned by Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin, began competition with Bubba Wallace driving No. 23.
In September 2022, Michael Jordan's jersey from the opening game of the 1998 NBA Finals was sold for $10.1 million, making it the most expensive game-worn sports memorabilia in history.
In December 2022, the NBA unveiled a new regular season MVP trophy named in honor of Michael Jordan. This trophy replaced the one named after Maurice Podoloff and will be awarded starting with the 2022-23 season.
In 2022, 23XI Racing added a second car, No. 45, driven by Kurt Busch, Ty Gibbs, John Hunter Nemechek, and Daniel Hemric.
In 2022, Michael Jordan appeared in the miniseries The Captain, which follows the life and career of Derek Jeter.
In 2022, the NBA Finals television ratings had not returned to the level reached during Michael Jordan's last championship-winning season, showing the lasting impact of his career on the sport's popularity.
In August 2023, Michael Jordan finalized the sale of his majority stake in the Charlotte Hornets to Gabe Plotkin and Rick Schnall for approximately $3 billion, ending his 13-year tenure as majority owner, while retaining a minority stake.
In 2023, 23XI Racing fielded a third car, No. 67, driven by Travis Pastrana in the Daytona 500. Also in 2023, Tyler Reddick won the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series regular season championship, the first for the team.
In 2023, Michael Jordan donated $10 million to the Make-A-Wish Foundation for his 60th birthday.
In 2023, Michael Jordan sold his majority stake in the Charlotte Hornets.
In 2024, Michael Jordan funded the opening of another Novant Health Clinic, this time in Wilmington.
In 2024, a study by Tom Haberstroh revealed discrepancies in Michael Jordan's steals numbers, particularly in the 1988 season, suggesting potential stat inflation.
In 2024, the $168 million divorce settlement Juanita received in 2006 would be equivalent to $262 million when adjusted for inflation.
In May 2025, Michael Jordan was announced as a special contributor for the NBA on NBC commentary team.
As of 2025, Forbes estimated Michael Jordan's net worth at $3.8 billion, making him the fourth-richest African-American and one of the richest celebrities.
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