George Wallace

Date of Birth: August 25, 1919

Zodiac Sign: Virgo

Date of Death: September 13, 1998

Biography

George Corley Wallace Jr. was an American politician who served as the 45th Governor of Alabama for four terms. Born on August 25, 1919, Wallace became a prominent figure in American politics due to his staunch segregationist and populist views during the Civil Rights Movement. Wallace’s early career began after he graduated from the University of Alabama School of Law in 1942. He served in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II before entering politics. Wallace first became governor in 1963, where he infamously declared, “segregation now, segregation tomorrow, segregation forever” in his inaugural speech. His resistance to desegregation was highlighted in 1963 when he stood in front of the University of Alabama to block the enrollment of Black students, a move that gained national attention. Despite his segregationist stance, Wallace later softened his views on race, particularly after surviving an assassination attempt in 1972 that left him paralyzed from the waist down. He sought the presidency four times, with his most significant effort occurring in 1968 as an American Independent Party candidate, where he garnered 13.5% of the popular vote and carried five Southern states. Wallace’s political career was marked by his ability to appeal to working-class white voters through his populist rhetoric, focusing on states’ rights and opposition to federal intervention. He retired from politics in 1987 and spent his final years advocating for reconciliation and addressing issues of poverty and education before passing away on September 13, 1998.

5 Interesting Facts about George Wallace

1. George Wallace is the longest-serving governor in Alabama history, holding office for a total of 16 years.

2. Wallace once declared himself a “moderate” on racial issues before adopting a hardline segregationist stance to gain political support.

3. In 1972, Wallace was shot five times by Arthur Bremer during a campaign stop in Laurel, Maryland, which left him paralyzed.

4. Wallace’s third wife, Lurleen Wallace, also served as Governor of Alabama from 1967 until her death in 1968.

5. Wallace publicly apologized for his segregationist policies later in life, seeking forgiveness from African American communities.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from George Wallace

1. “Segregation now, segregation tomorrow, segregation forever.”

2. “I draw the line in the dust and toss the gauntlet before the feet of tyranny, and I say segregation now, segregation tomorrow, segregation forever.”

3. “The framers of our Constitution meant we were to have freedom of religion, not freedom from religion.”

4. “I was wrong. Those days are over, and they ought to be over.”

5. “There’s not a dime’s worth of difference between the Democrat and Republican parties.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the peak of his career, George Wallace’s net worth was estimated to be around $1 million.

Children

George Wallace had four children: Bobbi Jo Wallace Parsons, Peggy Sue Wallace Kennedy, George Wallace Jr., and Janie Lee Wallace Dye. George Wallace Jr. followed in his father’s footsteps and pursued a career in politics, serving as Alabama State Treasurer and on the Alabama Public Service Commission.