Michael Jordan

American famed basketball star, known by some as the "Best Player Alive." Over 13 seasons as pro basketballs most dynamic and influential star, a dazzling career, there seemed to be nothing he could not do. He won six world championships with the Chicago Bulls, ten scoring titles and enough Most Valuable Player awards to stock his own wing at the Hall of Fame. He may possibly be the most famous American in the world, and is certainly so in the sports world. His salary peak was $34 million in 1998 and he reputedly earned $240 million from endorsements alone in the 90s. His sole public vice is gambling, and he appears to have his addiction under control. The son of James and Deloris Jordan, Michael was encouraged to play baseball as a kid. While a senior in high school, he was invited to go to Dean Smiths basketball camp at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, 1980. Only the best players were invited. Jordans determination to do the best he could got him on the Five-Star team. He was drafted by the Chicago Bulls in his junior year at Chapel Hill and reluctantly left school behind as it had been his mothers dream for her children to attain higher education. After 13 seasons playing with the National Basketball Association, Jordan has won the admiration of the sports world as a flawless player. As NBC analyst Bob Costas said, "Michael Jordan was just beautiful to watch." Trauma was a factor in Jordans life from before he was born. His mom had to stay in bed to avoid a miscarriage and when he was born with his nose bleeding, they wondered if he was all right. As a baby, he nearly suffocated once in the bedding. At about age two, he picked up two live wires and was blown three feet away with the shock. When Jordan was in college, his girl friend died in a flood, and he himself once had a near-drowning in a riptide. In 1993, he was shattered by the murder of his father in North Carolina during a roadside robbery. His dad, James (born 7/31/1946), vanished in mid-July and his body was later found floating in a So. Carolina creek 8/03/1993. Jordan seemed to interpret the tragedy as a message to embrace what was really important. He retired from basketball, albeit prematurely. Perhaps because his dad wanted him to play pro baseball, he joined the Chicago White Soxs for a brave but inglorious season-long spectacle that ended with his return to the Bulls in 1995. Three world championships later, Jordan retired for real in 1/13/1999 to the dismay and sorrow of millions of fans to pursue a flourishing career in movies and TV. He was busy as well supervising his many endeavors such as the Jordan brand for a division of Nike and a Chicago restaurant. He is reportedly interested in pursuing the game of golf. Michael met Juanita Vanoy in March 1985. In 1988, pregnant with Jeffrey, she considered filing a paternity suit but instead, they married on 9/02/1989 (at 3:30 AM!) in Las Vegas. They set up permanent residence in a 25,000-square-foot million-dollar mansion in Highland Park, Illinois with their three children, Jeffrey, Marcus and Jasmine. Jordan is known for his determination not to take himself too seriously and lead a good life. After 12 years of marriage, Juanita filed for divorce on 1/04/2002, three months after her restless husband went back to work. She asked for custody of their three kids and a fair share of his estimated worth of $400 million. They reconciled within the month, apparently with a compro Read less