George Wallace

About

Democrat from Alabama who served his state as its Governor in the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. He ran for President four times and was known for his Southern populist and pro-segregation views.

Before Fame

He was a regional champion in boxing during his high school years.

Trivia

A few years after a 1972 assassination attempt left him in a wheelchair he apologized to black civil rights leaders for his past actions as a segregationist and became the first governor to appoint two black members in the same cabinet.

Family Life

He married three times and divorced twice.

Associated With

He publicly stated that he would run against US President John F. Kennedy for the Democratic nomination for President, but just days later JFK was assassinated.