Wednesday 23 November 2022 01:17 AM Kentucky Fried Chicken pioneer dies aged 88 trends now
Ex-Kentucky Gov. John Y. Brown Jr., who bought the iconic Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) chain and turned it into a fast-food juggernaut, married a Miss America and bought the Boston Celtics has died aged 88.
Brown's family released a statement on Tuesday which said that 'everyday was an exciting adventure' for the former Democratic governor, who served Kentucky from 1979 to 1983.
'He was a true Kentucky original who beamed with pride for his home state and its people,' the family said.
'He had many prominent accomplishments, but most of all he loved his family with all of his heart, and we in turn loved him with all of our hearts.'
In a tweet Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said that he was sad to share the news that Brown had passed away calling him a 'remarkable leader.'
'[He] was committed to serving the people of Kentucky,' he said.
John Y. Brown Jr. died age 88 telling family in his final days that he had 'never been so happy' and was seen here pictured at the Ferdinand's Ball in Kentucky in April 2015
Family and friends paid their respects to the former Kentucky governor and entrepreneur saying that he had a 'zest for life'
He was remembered for building Kentucky Fried Chicken into a global fast-food juggernaut after co-purchasing the small-town restaurant in 1964 for $2 million
'He made our commonwealth a better place. Britainy and I are praying for his family and loved ones.'
Born in Lexington, Kentucky, in 1933, Brown paid his way through college and law school at the University of Kentucky as one of Encyclopedia Britannica's top salesmen.
Following service in the US Army Reserve, he co-purchased KFC from Harland Sanders for $2 million.
He became president of KFC in January 1965 and sold it to Heublein Corp. in a $275 million stock swap in 1971. Brown received nearly $21 million in Heublein stock for his KFC shares.
In 1969, Brown purchased controlling interest in the Kentucky Colonels, a Louisville franchise in the American Basketball Association (ABA).
After the ABA folded, Brown paid a reported $1 million for half interest in the Buffalo Braves of the National Basketball Association (NBA).
He wanted to move the Braves to Louisville but was blocked in court. Brown and a partner then swapped the Braves for the Boston Celtics, in the first ever trade of professional sports teams in 1978.
Celtics fans turned on him however after he traded popular players without the approval of team president and legendary former Coach Red Auerbach. Brown sold the team in 1979.
Brown co-purchased KFC from Harland Sanders (right) becoming president of KFC in January 1965 and sold it to Heublein Corp. in a $275 million stock swap in 1971
Brown (right) also owned the Boston Celtics, but fans turned on him when he traded popular players without the approval of former Coach Red Auerbach (left) He sold the Celtics in 1979
While Brown will be best remembered as a restaurant magnate his turn as governor cemented his position as an esteemed Kentucky statesman.
Brown had been a leading Democratic fundraiser in the 1970s by the time he made his own run for public office.
In the spring of 1979, newly married to TV celebrity and former Miss America Phyllis George, Brown swooped back into his home state and entered the Democratic primary for governor.
His 1979 campaign for the Democratic nomination for governor destroyed the notion
