Date of Birth: March 6, 1936
Zodiac Sign: Pisces
Date of Death: November 23, 2014
Biography
Marion Barry was an American politician and civil rights activist who served as the Mayor of the District of Columbia. He was born on March 6, 1936, in Itta Bena, Mississippi. Barry earned a bachelor’s degree at LeMoyne-Owen College and a master’s at Fisk University. His political career began with his involvement in the civil rights movement, where he was a leader in the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC). Barry first entered the political scene in Washington, D.C., in the late 1960s, and he was elected to the D.C. Board of Education in 1971. He later served on the D.C. City Council before becoming the Mayor of Washington, D.C., in 1979. His tenure as mayor was marked by significant urban development and social programs, but it was also marred by legal troubles, including a high-profile arrest in 1990 for drug charges. Despite his controversies, Barry remained a beloved figure in Washington, D.C., particularly among the city’s African American residents. He returned to the City Council after his mayoral terms and continued to be an influential political figure until his death on November 23, 2014.
5 Interesting Facts about Marion Barry
1. Marion Barry was a founding member of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC).
2. He was first elected Mayor of Washington, D.C., in 1978 and served four terms in total.
3. Barry was arrested in 1990 during an FBI sting operation for drug charges.
4. He made a political comeback in 1994 and was re-elected as Mayor of Washington, D.C.
5. Barry was known as the “Mayor for Life” due to his enduring influence and popularity in D.C. politics.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Marion Barry
1. “Get on the right track, and stay on the right track.”
2. “I may not be perfect, but I’m perfect for Washington, D.C.”
3. “If you take out the killings, Washington actually has a very low crime rate.”
4. “Outside of the killings, Washington has one of the lowest crime rates in the country.”
5. “People have criticized me for being in scandals, but I’ve always been a fighter.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
At the peak of his career, Marion Barry’s net worth was estimated to be around $300,000.
Children
Marion Barry had one son, Marion Christopher Barry, who was born in 1980. Marion Christopher Barry faced his own struggles and died in 2016.
Relevant Links
1. [Wikipedia – Marion Barry](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marion_Barry
2. [Biography – Marion Barry](https://www.biography.com/political-figure/marion-barry
4. [The New York Times – Marion Barry](https://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/24/us/marion-barry-dies.html
