Michael Jordan Is a Doting Grandpa as He Turns 60 — He Now Devotes Himself to His Beloved Wife & 1st Grandkid

Basketball superstar Michael Jordan is no stranger to fame and legendary accomplishments, but he also faced trials in his personal life, being the subject of a $168 million divorce suit. Despite this, he continues to be a great dad and grandfather.

Michael Jordan's life has been anything but smooth sailing. Although the NBA champion is often seen as a strict athlete, people close to the sportsman know him to be a soft and gentle grandfather who is always willing to help those in need.

From his days as a University of North Carolina basketball star to his rise as a sports hero, Jordan has faced many challenges and hardships. Perhaps one of the most difficult events was his divorce from his first wife, Juanita Vanoy.

Born on February 17, 1963, in Brooklyn, New York, Michael is widely recognized as one of the greatest basketball players and most successful athletes in history.

Nicknamed "Air Jordan," his strict and demanding approach to the game helped him become one of the most iconic sportsmen of all time.

His teammates recalled being afraid of him because of his strong personality. Everyone didn't appreciate his fierce attitude, but many of the players understood the method behind his actions.

While dealing with the fear factor that Michael brought to every practice, there was still great respect for him, and one fellow player, Bill Wennington, shared:

"He was pushing us all to be better because he wanted to win. And guess what, it worked."

Michael Jordan's Troubled First Marriage and Costly Divorce

Michael and Juanita's love story began in the Windy City of Chicago. The pair met in 1985 when Jordan was a rising basketball star in the NBA and Juanita was a loan officer working towards her associate's degree.

They were introduced by a mutual friend who thought they would be a perfect match, and it turned out they were right. The two started dating and eventually tied the knot in November 1989 at the Little White Chapel in Las Vegas.

By then, they were already the parents of a son born the previous year. In an interview, Michael said he was happy with their decision to marry and that it helped him mature.

Michael and Juanita stayed together for 17 years, welcoming three beautiful children. Despite their lavish life in the limelight, the couple's marriage was difficult.

In 2002, they separated, and Juanita filed for divorce later that year, citing irreconcilable differences. The split was a long and drawn-out process, with the couple eventually reaching an agreement in 2006. The $168 million settlement was one of the biggest at the time.

The former couple remained on good terms after their divorce and focused on co-parenting amicably for the sake of their children.

Michael's main priority was always his kids, and he worked hard to maintain healthy relationships with them. The sports star did everything he could to ensure his family was cared for and knew they were loved.

Jeffrey Jordan is the pride and joy of Michael and his first wife Juanita. As the firstborn and eldest son, Jeffrey has always been a shining star in the family. From an early age, he demonstrated an aptitude for sports, particularly basketball.

He played for the University of Illinois and Central Florida before transitioning into business, where he now leads brand digital innovation for the thriving Jordan Brand.

Jeffrey has become a key figure in the family business, pushing the company into the future. He makes his parents proud as he continues to lead the brand, demonstrating his creativity and drive,

He revealed that his dad raised him and his siblings to be tough. They knew their father valued them, but there was always a competitive atmosphere at home. He added:

"We always felt like the competitive atmosphere shaped us in a way that was for the better and got us prepared for what we were gonna face in the real world. We embraced it, but the switch was on."

Marcus Jordan is Michael's middle child. Growing up, he also had a strong interest in basketball and went on to play for the University of Central Florida, where he studied hospitality management.

Upon graduating, he moved into the business world. Marcus was determined to make a name for himself, which led to the creation of a footwear and apparel company called The Trophy Room.

Michael's daughter, Jasmine Jordan, was not a typical child. With a father as legendary as Michael, she was already well-known in the world of sports, and her love of sneakers took her even further into the realm of the NBA.

She studied sports management at Syracuse University and worked as an ambassador for Nike Jordan. Jasmine also worked with the Charlotte Hornets, the NBA team her father owns.

In 2018, Jasmine spoke about not understanding the scope of her father's career until she entered her pre-teens. She recalled how her classmates would tell her how lucky she was to have Michael Jordan as a dad:

"I literally went on YouTube and looked up 'Michael Jordan' just to see why everyone was so obsessed. [My classmates] always questioned what it was like [to have him as my dad], and all I could say is 'he’s just my dad, and it’s fun.'"

As an adult, Jasmine's awe of her father's success grew. She was grateful to be able to follow in his footsteps in the world of sports, albeit a little differently. Jasmine also said it is vital for her and her brothers to protect her father's legacy; they are proud to do it.

NBA Star Re-Marrries in Beautiful Ceremony, Embracing Love and Privacy

In 2008, Michael found love again. After a successful NBA career and his marriage to Juanita, Michael was ready to find his new soulmate. Little did he know his future was waiting for him at a Miami nightclub.

When Michael met Yvette Prieto, a former Cuban-American model, it was love at first sight and the two quickly hit it off. The following year, they moved in together, and after three years of dating, the couple announced their engagement.

On April 27, 2013, Michael and Yvette tied the knot in front of 500 star-studded guests. Michael has said that finding Yvette was the best decision he ever made, and he is thankful for her love and joy in his life.

When Yvette married Michael, they were instantly catapulted into the spotlight. Although he had already retired from basketball, Michael was still a renowned icon, and his new wife had to adjust to the extra security that came with it.

A private security team accompanied the couple on their overseas trips. To ensure their true identities were kept a secret, the duo adopted code names and used them during their travels. Yvette's code name was "Harmony," and Michael's was "Yahweh."

The arrival of twins Victoria and Ysabel Jordan in February 2014 was a joyous moment for Michael and his wife Yvette. As the first children together for the couple, the twins were welcomed with immense excitement.

Michael is famously private about his family life. Consequently, little is known about the twins, who are nine years old.

The famed dad does not share photos of the twins on his social media accounts, and his wife also does not have a significant online presence. They value their personal lives and share details on their own terms.

Michael Jordan's Grandfather Status Brings Out His Big Heart

Since the birth of his grandson, Michael has been lovingly referred to as "Grandpa Mike." His daughter Jasmine is the mother of baby Rakeem.

The darling boy was named after his father, but the little one's parents didn't neglect Michael and chose to give Rakeem the middle name of his adoring grandfather. The family loves Rakeem Michael Christmas, and the basketball legend enjoys spending time with him. He said:

"It's fun. I can hold him and play with him. I'm having fun watching him."

Aside from being a doting dad and grandfather, Michael also has a heart of gold. He donates millions of dollars to charities close to his heart every year.

One of his causes includes a health clinic for underserved people in his home state of North Carolina. He donated $7 million out of his own pocket and was emotional giving a speech at the opening ceremony of the facility, expressing:

"As you can see it is a very emotional thing for me, being able to give back to a community that's supported me over the years. When I was playing basketball to now where I'm a part of the community."

The legend's purpose for helping comes from seeing a need and wanting to make a difference. Giving back to people gives him a feeling of warmth, and he hopes to uplift communities.

He didn't fund philanthropic projects to make a name for himself or further his legacy. He stated that he gave back to needy people for the sole purpose of giving without any hidden motivations.

Michael's willingness to serve has rubbed off on his kids and has made them people with great work ethics and drive. His daughter Jasmine wants to make a mark and leave her own legacy, stating:

"I'm going to make sure that when I enter a room, you hear Jasmine before you hear Michael Jordan's daughter."

Michael inspired Jasmine, and the sheer commitment and dedication he lived out at home and on the court were instilled in her, so she is passionate about paving her way.

She wouldn't ride on the coattails of her family name and loves working hard and setting an example for her son. She also describes her dad as a "soft" grandfather, adding:

"My son definitely has my dad wrapped around his finger. He loves being a grandfather, and my son is his first grandchild."

Michael is an incredible example of a great father and grandfather. He is known for being a strict and competitive player on the basketball court, but he has a huge heart and is passionate about giving back to his community.

In 2020, his net worth was an estimated $1.9 billion, and he endeavored to put the money to good use. He has shown his generosity by supporting hurricane relief, building medical facilities, and going beyond what is expected to make a difference.

As a father, Michael has raised three children who continue to carry his legacy. He has instilled in them the importance of hard work and dedication, which is evident in their successful careers.

Michael traded in his basketball shoes for the role of fatherhood and grandfatherhood. His example of love and generosity as a family man and philanthropist will continue to impact future generations positively.