Net Worth Ranker
What Is Juanita Jordan’s Net Worth
Juanita Jordan, also known as Juanita Vanoy, boasts a net worth of $200 million as a former model. Her fame is largely attributed to her marriage to NBA legend Michael Jordan. The couple was married for 17 years, from 1989 to 2006. They share three children: sons Jeffrey and Marcus, and daughter Jasmine.
Juanita Jordan’s Divorce Settlement Details
Juanita and Michael Jordan initially filed for divorce in 2002 but reconciled temporarily. The divorce was finalized in December 2006, resulting in Juanita receiving a settlement of $168 million in cash and assets. Adjusting for inflation, that $168 million divorce settlement in 2006 is equivalent to roughly $260 million in today’s dollars. The divorce settlement was a landmark at the time, setting the record for the largest celebrity divorce settlement ever, though it has since been surpassed by others. The settlement included a mix of property and assets, although specific details regarding the allocation of these assets are not fully disclosed in the provided text. Michael retained ownership of their custom-built 56,000-square-foot suburban Chicago mansion, located in Highland Park. This property was later put on the market for $30 million, then reduced to $14 million, but remains unsold as of the writing of the provided text. In 2014, Juanita sold a seven-acre Lake Shore Drive Penthouse, which she had obtained in the divorce settlement, for $3.2 million. Specific details about the acquisition cost of this penthouse and any potential profit or loss from the sale are not provided.
Early Life and Career Before Michael Jordan
Juanita Vanoy was born on June 13, 1959, in Chicago, Illinois. Raised on the south side of Chicago by her parents, John and Dorothy, she grew up with five siblings: Gwendolyn Hicks, Jacqueline Rogers, Rhonda Armstrong, Bernetta B. Vanoy, and Margaret Vanoy. Juanita attended Christian Fencer High School and later studied at American University. Juanita worked as a model and a secretary before her marriage. She was working as a loan officer while pursuing her degree when she first met Michael Jordan in 1984 at a Bennigan’s restaurant in Chicago. At the time, Michael was a rookie heading into his second NBA season with the Chicago Bulls. They were introduced by a mutual friend. They met again at a party a few weeks later and began dating.
Marriage and Family Life with Michael Jordan
Michael proposed to Juanita in 1987 at Nick’s Fish Market in Chicago. Though they initially broke off the engagement, they later reconciled and married on September 2, 1989, at 3:30 AM at the Little White Chapel in Las Vegas, Nevada. Their first child, Jeffrey, was already ten months old at the time. Initially, Michael questioned his paternity of Jeffrey, leading Juanita to file a legal paternity claim. They reconciled, and Michael acknowledged paternity. The couple had three children: Jeffrey Michael Jordan (born 1988), Marcus James Jordan (born 1990), and Jasmine Jordan (born 1992). Jeffrey and Marcus both played college basketball but did not pursue NBA careers. Jeffrey now works for the Jordan Brand on the digital team. Marcus founded a boutique store called the Trophy Room and gained attention for his relationship with Larsa Pippen, who is 16 years older than him and the ex-wife of Michael’s former teammate Scottie Pippen. Jasmine worked for the Charlotte Hornets and is now an executive at Nike. Jasmine and her husband, NBA player Rakeem Christmas, have a son, making Juanita and Michael grandparents in 2019.
Juanita Jordan’s Philanthropic Work and Public Appearances
After her divorce, Juanita Jordan largely retreated from the public eye to focus on her children and philanthropic endeavors. She is an art collector, with a particular focus on African American artists. She serves on the board of Reel Beauty Inc., a Chicago-based non-profit organization that mentors young girls. She is also the co-founder of the Michael and Juanita Endowment Fund, a charity aimed at supporting various causes. Juanita Jordan made television appearances in “ESPN SportsCentury” in 2000 and “E! True Hollywood Story” in 2006.
