Vernon Jordan

Vernon Jordan
Jordan in 1973
Born
Vernon Eulion Jordan Jr.

(1935-08-15)August 15, 1935
Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
DiedMarch 1, 2021(2021-03-01) (aged 85)
Washington, D.C., U.S.
Education
Occupations
  • Attorney
  • business executive
  • civil rights activist
Years active1960–2021
Spouses
  • Shirley Yarbrough
    (died 1985)
  • (m. 1986)
Children5 (1 with Yarbrough, 4 by marriage with Ann Cook)
RelativesThe Mighty Hannibal (cousin)

Vernon Eulion Jordan Jr. (August 15, 1935 – March 1, 2021) was an American business executive and civil rights attorney who worked for various civil rights movement organizations before becoming a close advisor to President Bill Clinton.

Jordan grew up in Atlanta, Georgia, and graduated in 1957 from DePauw University. In the early 1960s, he started his civil rights career, most notably being a part of a team of lawyers that desegregated the University of Georgia. He then continued to work for multiple civil rights organizations until the late 1980s. In the early 1990s, he became a close ally and friend of Bill Clinton and he served as part of Clinton's transition team. After Clinton's departure, Jordan began working with multiple corporations and investment banking firms up until his death. During the 2004 election, he worked for John Kerry's campaign.