Dorothy Bowles Ford married Harold Eugene Ford Sr., the first African-American congressman from Tennessee, from 1969 until their divorce in 1999.
Together, they had three children: Harold Ford Jr., who, like his father, served as a U.S. congressman, and two other sons, Newton Jake and Sir Isaac.
Although Dorothy comes from a well-known political family, she mostly keeps herself out of the limelight. Here’s what we know about Dorothy Bowles Ford.
Who Is Dorothy Bowles Ford?
Dorothy Bowles Ford
Image source: Google
Dorothy Bowles Ford was born in 1949. The exact date of her birth and details of her parents, childhood, and education are unknown.
Dorothy worked as a coordinator at Potomac’s Electric Power, overseeing the organization’s energy consumption management. She also was an administrator for her then-congressman husband, Harold Ford Sr., managing administrative duties.
She was even active in the political scene and once worked with the Department of Agriculture to improve school lunch programs in Tennessee.
Following their divorce in 1999, Dorothy withdrew all political obligations and decided to focus on her personal life and family. She now maintains a low profile, choosing to support her children from behind the scenes rather than engage in political activities as she did before.
How Did Dorothy Bowles Ford Meet Harold Eugene Ford Sr.?
Young Dorothy Bowles Ford and Harold Eugene Ford Sr. with their three children
Dorothy Bowles Ford and Harold Eugene Ford Sr. were high school sweethearts. Not much is known about their early relationship, but we know they tied the knot in 1969 when Dorothy was 20 and Harold was 24.
Dorothy and Harold Sr.’s union bore three children. They stayed together for over 30 years before separating in 1999. The reason for their divorce is kept private, but it’s likely due to the pressures of Harold’s political career and the controversies surrounding it.
As far as we know, Dorothy never remarried after the divorce. Meanwhile, Harold Ford Sr. married Michelle Roberts, a former NBA executive director, in the same year their divorce was finalized. They remain together to this day and have two children.
Dorothy Bowles Ford’s Children
Dorothy Bowles Ford and Harold Eugene Ford have been blessed with three children in their three decades of marriage: Harold Jr., Newton Jake, and Sir Isaac.
Harold Eugene Ford Jr.
Harold Ford Jr stands on stage at the Stonewall Democratic Club in New York City.
Harold Ford Jr. is Dorothy’s eldest son. After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania, he immediately worked on the Senate Budget Committee.
Willing to inherit his father’s mantle, Harold Ford Jr. became one of the youngest African-American congress representatives at 26. He served in Congress for ten years, from 1997 to 2007.
Newton Jake Ford
Jake Ford, the second son of Dorothy, is a former Democratic member of Tennessee’s State Senate. He ran for Congress in 2006 as an independent candidate and lost.
Although he’s since lived a private life, Jake Ford once attracted attention from the media with his brushes with the law.
Sir Isaac Ford
Dorothy’s youngest son, Sir Isaac Ford, also attempted to earn his place in politics. In 2003, he ran as a member of the Memphis City Council but was unsuccessful.
He managed Jake Ford’s bid for Congress in 2006, which became his last political involvement.
What is Dorothy Bowles Ford’s Net Worth?
As the wife of the former congressman Harold Eugene Ford Sr., experts estimate Dorothy Bowles Ford’s net worth to be $1 million. Her eldest son, Harold Ford Jr., has an estimated net worth of $3 million.
Wrapping Up
Dorothy Bowles Ford is the first wife of former congressman Harold Eugene Ford Sr. Her first son, Harold Eugene Ford Jr., followed in his father’s footsteps and also pursued a political career, becoming a congressman. Dorothy keeps her personal life private, rarely appearing at public political events.
