Age, Biography and Wiki

Eugene Sawyer was born on 3 September, 1934 in Greensboro, Alabama, U.S., is an American businessman and politician. Discover Eugene Sawyer's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. Learn How rich is he in this year and how he spends money? Also learn how he earned most of networth at the age of 74 years old?

Popular As N/A
Occupation N/A
Age 74 years old
Zodiac Sign Virgo
Born 3 September 1934
Birthday 3 September
Birthplace Greensboro, Alabama, U.S.
Date of death 2008
Died Place Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Nationality United States

We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous People born on 3 September. He is a member of famous businessman with the age 74 years old group.

Eugene Sawyer Height, Weight & Measurements

At 74 years old, Eugene Sawyer height not available right now. We will update Eugene Sawyer's Height, weight, Body Measurements, Eye Color, Hair Color, Shoe & Dress size soon as possible.

Physical Status
Height Not Available
Weight Not Available
Body Measurements Not Available
Eye Color Not Available
Hair Color Not Available

Who Is Eugene Sawyer's Wife?

His wife is Eleanor Taylor (m. 1955-1984) Veronica L. Smith (m. September 7, 1996)

Family
Parents Not Available
Wife Eleanor Taylor (m. 1955-1984) Veronica L. Smith (m. September 7, 1996)
Sibling Not Available
Children 3, including Roderick

Eugene Sawyer Net Worth

His net worth has been growing significantly in 2023-2024. So, how much is Eugene Sawyer worth at the age of 74 years old? Eugene Sawyer’s income source is mostly from being a successful businessman. He is from United States. We have estimated Eugene Sawyer's net worth, money, salary, income, and assets.

Net Worth in 2024 $1 Million - $5 Million
Salary in 2024 Under Review
Net Worth in 2023 Pending
Salary in 2023 Under Review
House Not Available
Cars Not Available
Source of Income businessman

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Timeline

1934

Eugene Sawyer Jr. (September 3, 1934 – January 19, 2008) was an American businessman, educator, and politician.

1953

Sawyer was selected by the Chicago City Council as the 53rd Mayor of Chicago, Illinois after the sudden death of then–mayor Harold Washington.

1955

From 1955 until 1984, Sawyer was married to Eleanor Taylor.

Together, they had three children; sons, Roderick and Shedrick, and a daughter, Sheryl Sawyer McGill.

1956

He graduated from Alabama State in 1956 with bachelor's degree in chemistry.

1957

He had a brief stint as a chemistry and mathematics teacher in Prentiss, Mississippi, before moving to Chicago to do laboratory work in 1957.

1959

Shortly after moving to Chicago, Sawyer took a job in Chicago’s Department of Water, where he worked from 1959 until 1971.

1968

While working for the city's water department, Sawyer became involved with the Sixth Ward Regular Democratic organization and the Young Democrats (YD) through family friends, becoming the organization president and financial secretary in October 1968.

1971

In February 1971, Sawyer was elected Alderman of Chicago's 6th Ward.

1987

Sawyer served for the remainder of the term, from December 2, 1987 until April 24, 1989.

A member of the Democratic Party, Sawyer was an alderman, and the second African-American to serve as mayor of Chicago.

Born to Bernice and Eugene Sawyer Sr. in Greensboro, Alabama, the oldest of six children, Sawyer spent summer vacations in Chicago with his aunt during his childhood.

Sawyer attended Alabama State University, where he joined the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity.

By 1987, he was the longest-serving black alderman on the Chicago City Council.

The sudden death of Mayor Harold Washington created a vacancy at city hall.

With David Duvall Orr serving as interim mayor, the city council met to select a permanent successor as mayor.

Washington's supporters in the city council split, with some supporting Alderman Sawyer, but most voting for Timothy C. Evans.

The City Council elected Sawyer mayor in a tumultuous and lengthy meeting.

Having received the majority of votes from the council’s white aldermen, Sawyer faced accusations of "selling out" to the white community, which led to protests from Evans’ supporters.

Sawyer's inauguration as mayor occurred in the parking lot of a closed restaurant at North and Bosworth Avenues at 4:01 am on December 2, 1987, in an effort to avoid public demonstration.

He was soft-spoken, which led to local media to refer to him as "Mr. Mumbles", or "Mayor Mumbles".

1988

Sawyer enacted Washington's budget for the 1988 fiscal year.

In January 1988, Sawyer was able to get the council to approve legislation that broke the taxi monopoly in the city, something which Washington had been unable to do.

Despite the division surrounding his selection, Sawyer pushed several initiatives through the city council, including the installation of lights at Wrigley Field and the Clean Indoor Air Ordinance, which banned indoor smoking.

Building on groundwork laid under Mayor Washington, Sawyer championed the Human Rights Ordinance, passed in 1988, to protect individuals against discrimination.

This was the first Chicago city ordinance to assert the rights of gay and lesbian Chicagoans.

Sawyer helped spur private development of land surrounding O'Hare International Airport.

Sawyer reached an unprecedented four-year agreement with the firemen's union.

Nevertheless, polling showed that Chicagoans had doubt in Sawyers his leadership capabilities, as a 1988 Chicago Tribune poll showed that 55% of residents did not think of Sawyer as being "strong, decisive, and independent", and 54% did not think he was an "effective leader".

After losing the mayoral contest, Sawyer lost his reelection bid for Democratic committeeman of the 6th Ward and subsequently retired from politics.

After retiring from politics, he became involved in business again.

Sawyer was also an active member of the Vernon Park Church of God in Chicago's Pill Hill neighborhood.

1989

In 1989, Sawyer ran for election in his own right.

In the Democratic primary election, Richard M. Daley, the son of the late mayor Richard J. Daley, defeated Sawyer, taking 57% of the vote to Sawyer’s 40%.

Sawyer was less popular a mayor than his predecessor, Washington, but still enjoyed a respectable approval rating.

1996

Sawyer was married to Veronica Smith-Sawyer from September 7, 1996 until his death.

1998

In 1998, Sawyer suffered a stroke.

2008

Sawyer died at age 73 on Saturday, January 19, 2008, at approximately 11 PM after a series of strokes and other health setbacks over the previous month.

Public viewing for Sawyer took place on January 25 and his funeral took place on January 26 followed by burial at Oak Woods Cemetery, where Harold Washington is buried.

Sawyer's mayoral papers are available as the Eugene Sawyer Collection at Special Collections department of the Chicago Public Library located in the Harold Washington Library.