Who Is Medgar Evers? Age, Biography, and Wiki
Medgar Evers was born on July 2, 1925, and tragically lost his life on June 12, 1963. In 2025, we remember him at the age of 99, a figure whose impact on civil rights continues to resonate strongly in America and beyond. As a prominent civil rights activist in the 1960s, Evers worked tirelessly to dismantle segregation and advocate for equality. He served as the state field secretary for the NAACP in Mississippi, where he helped to organize protests and voter registration drives.
Occupation | Civil Rights Activists |
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Date of Birth | July 2, 1925 |
Age | 37 Years |
Birth Place | Decatur, Mississippi, U.S. |
Horoscope | Cancer |
Country | U.S |
Date of death | 12 June, 1963 |
Died Place | Jackson, Mississippi, U.S. |
Popularity
Medgar Evers's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
While specific details regarding Medgar Evers’ height and weight during his lifetime are not widely documented, he was an athletic individual who served as a soldier in World War II. His physique reflected his dedication to both physical fitness and his commitment to the struggle for civil rights.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Medgar Evers was married to Myrlie Evers, and together they had three children: D'Reese, James, and Quniece. The couple shared a deep bond, and Myrlie was not only a supportive partner but also an active participant in the civil rights movement. Following Medgar's assassination, she continued to advocate for justice, ensuring his legacy lived on.
Evers lived with the constant threat of death. A large white supremacist population and the Ku Klux Klan were present in Jackson and its suburbs. The risk was so high that before his death, Evers and his wife, Myrlie, had trained their children on what to do in case of a shooting, bombing, or other kind of attack on their lives.
Evers, who was regularly followed home by at least two FBI cars and a police car, arrived at his home on the morning of his death without an escort. None of his usual protection was present, for reasons unspecified by the FBI or local police. There has been speculation that many members of the police force at the time were members of the Klan.
Net Worth and Salary
At the time of his death, Medgar Evers' net worth is estimated to have been modest, considering the financial struggles of the civil rights movement. His contributions were not aimed at personal wealth but rather at social and political change. Today, his legacy contributes to various foundations and scholarships, possibly generating a net worth reflective of his ongoing influence.
Career, Business, and Investments
Medgar Evers' career was predominantly focused on civil rights activism. As the Mississippi state field secretary for the NAACP, he worked to challenge segregation laws and promote voting rights for African Americans. His work included organizing protests, investigating racially motivated murders, and advocating for equality in education and housing. Although he did not engage in traditional business or investments, Evers’ life was devoted to fighting systemic injustices.
In 1943, Evers enlisted in the United States Army at the age of 17; he was prompted to do so by the racism he experienced at home and Charles' prior enlistment in the Army. Evers served in the 657th Port Company, a segregated unit of the Army's Transportation Corps, participating in the Normandy landings on June 1944.
In France, Evers' unit was part of the Red Ball Express, which delivered supplies to Allied troops fighting on the frontlines. During his time in the Army, Evers was angered by the segregation and mistreatment endured by African-American troops.
Witnessing Black soldiers of the Free French Forces being treated as the equals of white troops, he once told Charles that "When we get out of the Army, we’re going to straighten this thing out!"
Social Network
Medgar Evers’ impact on social justice continues to inspire individuals and organizations worldwide. His story is shared on various social media platforms and educational websites that discuss civil rights. Evers is often remembered during Black History Month and civil rights events, where community leaders and activists honor his work and influence.
His murder and the resulting trials inspired civil rights protests. His life and death have inspired numerous works of art, music, and film. Although all-white juries failed to reach verdicts in the first two trials of De La Beckwith in the 1960s, he was convicted in 1994 based on new evidence.
Evers' widow, Myrlie Evers, became a noted activist in her own right, and served as national chair of the NAACP. In 1969, after passage of civil rights legislation and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, Medgar's brother Charles Evers was elected as mayor of Fayette, Mississippi.
He was the first African American to be elected mayor of a Mississippi city in the post-Reconstruction era.
Education
Evers attended Alcorn A&M College in Mississippi, where he became involved in the NAACP. His education and experiences during World War II played a significant role in shaping his perspectives on civil rights and racial equality. After returning from the war, Evers used his education to further his commitment to the movement, emphasizing the importance of activism and social change.
In conclusion, Medgar Evers' legacy as a civil rights activist and dedicated family man continues to inspire new generations. As we reflect on his life in 2025, we recognize the profound influence he had in shaping the fight for equality and justice in America.
Medgar Wiley Evers (July 2, 1925 – June 12, 1963) was an American civil rights activist and soldier who was the NAACP's first field secretary in Mississippi.
Evers, a United States Army veteran who served in World War II, was engaged in efforts to overturn racial segregation at the University of Mississippi, end the segregation of public facilities, and expand opportunities for African Americans, including the enforcement of voting rights when he was assassinated by Byron De La Beckwith.