Michael Jordan and Juanita Vanoy are a thing of history. The two aren’t together anymore having separated in 2006 after 17 years of marriage. But unlike with his new wife Yvette, Michael’s journey with Vanoy was far more turbulent. It was likely because, with Vanoy, MJ was still raw, still figuring out how to tread the complexities of life.
Advertisement
These complexities likely also became the reason for their divorce where Juanita recieved $168 million in settlement. In fact, their relationship started on a difficult note. As Michael rose in popularity, his parents became more possessive of him. They considered Juanita a threat to their son, perhaps because they didn’t trust her around MJ’s money.
Inspite of James and Deloris Jordan’s mistrust, Vanoy persevered. She waited for Michael Jordan to sort out his matters and then married him when he was ready. But it seems, even after her eventual marriage, she could not forgive the Jordan family.
Juanita Vanoy lashed out at James and Deloris Jordan
In Michael Jordan: The Life, writer Roland Lazenby detailed the troubled relationship between Juanita and Michael’s parents. When Juanita had gotten pregnant, James and Deloris had accused her of taking advantage of the pregnancy.
This wasn’t a small misunderstanding or mistake. These were grave accusations that likely ruined Jordan family’s image in her eyes. This came to light in the 1995 season opener.
While Michael scored 40 points against the Hornets, his family sat in the skybox watching the game. Juanita sat in one corner with her friends, while the Jordan family sat in the other corner. Something the Jordans did irked Vanoy who lost it on her in laws.
Lazenby wrote: “Unfortunately, the opening game would also feature an ugly confrontation between Juanita Jordan and her husband’s family as they shared a skybox. Juanita was entertaining her family and friends in one part of the skybox, while the Jordans gathered and enjoyed each other’s company in a way that apparently offended Juanita. Sis recalled their surprise when her brother’s wife angrily lashed out at them at the end of the evening. There must be some mistake, Deloris Jordan and her children thought. But the next morning, Michael made an angry phone call to his mother and cursed her out. He expressed resentment that the family had encroached on his peace of mind.”
Michael Jordan was caught in the corss-fire
Michael Jordan reacted to the spat between his family and his wife badly. He lashed out at his mother for dragging him through this. Maybe Jordan’s reaction was slightly unjustified and exaggerated but he had his own reasons.
He had lost his father and his memories still haunted Mihcael. But even before Jordan’s death, the business failure of James and Larry Jordan coupled with Deloris and James’ increasing fights ruined the value his home held.
Throughout the years, he had seen them as his escape but that was no more the case. Now, his escape were golfing and Vanoy and he was only trying to protect them, even if his methods were rude. But then, Jordan was never known for being polite.
