Date of Birth: August 7, 1927
Zodiac Sign: Leo
Date of Death: July 12, 2021
Biography
Edwin Washington Edwards was an influential American politician known for his charismatic and flamboyant style. He served as the Governor of Louisiana for four non-consecutive terms, making him one of the most prominent political figures in the state’s history. Edwards was born in Avoyelles Parish, Louisiana, and began his political career on the local level before ascending to national prominence. He was a Democrat known for his populist policies and advocacy for civil rights. Edwards’ tenure as governor was marked by significant economic development in Louisiana, including the expansion of the state’s oil and gas industries. However, his career was also marred by legal troubles, including a conviction on racketeering charges that led to a prison sentence. Despite this, he remained a beloved figure in Louisiana politics until his death.
5 Interesting Facts about Edwin Edwards
1. Edwin Edwards served an unprecedented four terms as Governor of Louisiana, from 1972-1980, 1984-1988, and 1992-1996.
2. He was known for his witty and often controversial one-liners, which endeared him to many voters.
3. Edwards was convicted on charges of racketeering and served eight years in federal prison from 2002 to 2011.
4. He ran for Congress in 2014 at the age of 87 but was defeated by Republican Garret Graves.
5. Edwards’ life and career were the subject of the 2018 documentary “The Man in the Arena.”
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Edwin Edwards
1. “The only way I can lose this election is if I’m caught in bed with either a dead girl or a live boy.”
2. “People say I’ve had brushes with the law. That’s not true. I’ve had brushes with overzealous prosecutors.”
3. “I never speak ill of dead people or live judges.”
4. “Louisiana has a lot of problems, but in Louisiana, we know how to have fun.”
5. “It takes charisma to win elections, but it takes character to keep from getting indicted.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
At the peak of his career, Edwin Edwards’ net worth was estimated to be around $10 million.
Children
Edwin Edwards had five children: 1. Anna Edwards 2. Victoria Edwards 3. Stephen Edwards 4. David Edwards 5. Eli Wallace Edwards
Relevant Links
1. [Wikipedia: Edwin Edwards](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edwin_Edwards
2. [Biography on Britannica](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Edwin-Washington-Edwards
3. [The New York Times Obituary](https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/12/us/edwin-edwards-dead.html
5. [Documentary: The Man in the Arena](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7945720/
