In Cairo, Georgia, Jackie Robinson’s wife, Rachel Annetta, has steadfastly advocated for her husband’s legacy and continued promoting social justice and education.
Jackie, an American professional baseball player, passed away at 53 due to a heart attack in his home.
Highlights
- Jackie Robinson and Rachel Annetta married on February 10, 1946, and welcomed three children: Jackie, Sharon, and David Robinson.
- After Jackie Robinson died in 1972, Rachel founded the Jackie Robinson Foundation to provide educational opportunities for minority students.
- Their first child, Jackie, passed away at 24 in a car accident on June 17, 1971.
Jackie Robinson broke the color line and became the first African-American to play Major League Baseball (MLB) in the modern era. On April 15, 1947, he started at first base for the Brooklyn Dodgers.
His elder brothers, Frank and Mack, recognized his athletic talents and inspired him to pursue his interest in Sports. He played multiple sports, basketball, football, baseball, and track at the University of California.
However, after his discharge from the military, he signed with the Kansas City Monarchs to play professional baseball in the Negro leagues.
Jackie pursued potential major league interests, and Branch Rickey, club president and general manager of the Brooklyn Dodgers, was interested in him.
His presence was controversial in racially segregated Florida, and he made his Royals debut at Daytona Beach’s City Island Ballpark on March 17, 1946.
During his 10-year MLB career, he won the Rookie of the Year Award in 1947, the National League Most Valuable Player Award in 1949, and was an All-Star for six consecutive seasons from 1949 through 1954.
Jackie Robinson Met His Wife, Rachel Annetta, At UCLA
Jackie Robinson was a senior at UCLA when he met his future wife, Rachel Isum. She was a freshman at UCLA but was familiar with his athletic career at Pasadena Junior College.
In January 1943, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant, and the love birds engaged shortly afterward. She was his rock and confidante.
Jackie and Rachel married on February 10, 1946, just before Jackie began his historic journey with the Brooklyn Dodgers.
Rachel pursued nursing opportunities in New York City and provided emotional support during his intense pressures as the first African American to break Major League Baseball’s color barrier.
Her strength and resilience helped him navigate the racism and challenges he encountered. Their enduring relationship was pivotal in his groundbreaking career and their shared commitment.
Rachel worked for five years as a researcher and clinician at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine’s Department of Social and Community Psychiatry.
Later, she became an assistant professor at Yale School of Nursing and the Director of Nursing at the Connecticut Mental Health Center.
In 1950, Jackie appeared as himself and actress Ruby Dee as Rachel in his biographical film, The Jackie Robinson Story.
Doing that rare thing of playing himself in the picture’s leading role, displays a calm assurance and composure that might be envied by many a Hollywood star.
The New York Times
After Jackie retired from baseball, the couple continued to work together in civil rights activism and community development.
Rachel continued to make significant contributions after he died in 1972, founding the Jackie Robinson Foundation to provide educational opportunities for minority students.
As of 2025, she remains an officer of the foundation and has advocated tirelessly to preserve his legacy and advance social justice through education and philanthropy.
I remember Montreal and that house very well and have always had warm feeling for that great city. Before Jack and I moved to Montreal, we had just been through some very rough treatment in the racially biased South during spring training in Florida. In the end, Montreal was the perfect place for him to get his start. We never had a threatening or unpleasant experience there. The people were so welcoming and saw Jack as a player and as a man.
Rachel Annetta Robinson
Jackie Robinson And Rachel Annetta Are Proud Parents Of 3 Children
Jackie and Rachel Robinson built a family and a legacy rooted in courage, resilience, and a commitment to equality. Their children continue to carry forward their values and work.
The married couple welcomed three children: Jackie, Sharon, and David Robinson.
Jackie Robinson Jr., the eldest son, was born in 1946. He had emotional trouble during his childhood and entered special education at an early age. Later, he enlisted in the Army in search of a disciplined environment.
He served in the Vietnam War and was wounded in action on November 19, 1965. After serving in the war, he faced many challenges in his life, including struggles with addiction.
However, he eventually turned his life around and worked as a counselor to help others battling similar issues. Sadly, he passed away at 24 in a car accident on June 17, 1971.
His experience with drug addiction turned his father into an avid anti-drug crusader toward the end of his life.
On the other hand, David Robinson, the youngest son born in 1952, is a coffee grower and social activist known for founding the Sweet Unity Farms cooperative in Tanzania.
He has focused on sustainable agriculture and community development, particularly in Tanzania, where he has worked on projects to improve the lives of local farmers.
Similarly, Sharon Robinson, born in 1950, has made significant contributions as an author, educator, and advocate for social justice.
She has written several books about her father’s legacy and experiences, including Stealing Home and Promises to Keep.
Moreover, she works with Major League Baseball to promote education and equality through programs like Breaking Barriers.
Jackie Robinson’s children lived remarkable lives, carrying his legacy in different ways.
Additional Information
- Jack Roosevelt Robinson, the youngest of five children of Mallie McGriff and Jerry Robinson, was born on January 31, 1919, in Cairo, Georgia.
- His middle name honored former President Theodore Roosevelt, who passed away 25 days before Robinson was born.
- He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962, his first year of eligibility, and was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal and Presidential Medal of Freedom.
- Rachel Robinson coauthored Jackie Robinson: An Intimate Portrait with Lee Daniels in 1996.
