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Died Age: 66
source:wikipedia.org
Jesse Owens
Birthday:
12 Sep, 1913
Date of Death:
31 Mar, 1980
Cause of death:
Lung cancer
Nationality:
American
Famous As:
Trackfield athlete
Age at the time of death:
66
Jesse Owens's Quote's
“The only bond worth anything between human beings is their humanness.”
Jesse Owens
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Introduction
Jesse Owens was an American track and field athlete whose incredible performance at the 1936 Berlin Olympics won him four gold medals.
Early Life
Jesse Owens was born on September 12, 1913, in Alabama. He was the youngest child of Henry Cleveland Owens [1881–1942] (a sharecropper) and Mary Emma Fitzgerald.
Owens was also a grandson of a slave. At the age of nine, Owens and his family moved to Cleveland, Ohio for better opportunities.
Struggles Growing Up
To survive as a young person, Owens did numerous menial jobs during his spare time, since he grew up in a community filled with racial discrimination and poverty. It was during this period that Owens discovered he had a passion for running.
Athletic Career
Owens showcased a natural skill for running and performed exceptionally well in high school and college competitions.
1935 Big Ten Track Meet
Within an hour, Owens set three world records and tied another at the 1935 Big Ten Track meet, a feat that is widely regarded as “the greatest 45 minutes ever in sport”.
1936 Berlin Olympics
Owens delivered a standout performance at the 1936 Olympics. He snagged gold medals in the 100 meters, 200 meters, long jump, and the 4 x 100 meter relay.
Reaction to Owens’ Success
His performance earned him widespread acclaim from many, including Adolf Hitler who gave him a Nazi salute. However, he experienced discrimination within his own nation, never receiving an invitation to the White House or any form of official acknowledgment.
Post-Olympics Life
Following the Olympics, Owens wasn’t able to find a steady means of income and worked many odd jobs to make ends meet, such as gas station attendant, playground janitor, and nightclub entertainer.
He eventually turned to public speaking and became a civil rights activist. He was also awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1976 and the Congressional Gold Medal in 1990.
Personal Life
Owens dated and married his high school sweetheart, Minnie Ruth Solomon, in 1935. Before they got married, they had a daughter in 1932 and two more after the marriage.
Death
Owens passed away in 1980 at the age of 66 due to lung cancer.
Profile Snapshot
Name:
Jesse Owens
Popular Name:
Jesse Owens
Gender:
Male
Cause of Death:
Lung cancer
Spouse:
M. Ruth Solomon
Place of Birth:
Oakville, Alabama, U.S.
Place of Death:
Tucson, Arizona, U.S.
Occupation / Profession:
Trackfield athlete
Personality Type
Adventurer: Flexible and charming artists, always ready to explore and experience something new. Adventurers follow their passion and put everything into doing what they love.
Jesse Owens's Interesting Facts
He was hired as a running coach by the New York Mets baseball team.
Jesse Owens won four gold medals in a single Olympiad.
Owens raced against horses for money.
Owens won gold in shoes that were handcrafted by the founder of Adidas.
Achievements & Awards
He was awarded the Living Legend Award by President Jimmy Carter in 1979
He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Gerald Ford in 1976
He was inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in 1970
He was part of the inaugural class of U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame in 1983
He won four Olympic gold medals in track and field
External Links