![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.wvih.com\/wp1\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/John-Y-Brown-Jr..jpg?resize=125%2C125\")
\nFormer Kentucky governor and businessman John Y. Brown, Jr. has died at the age of 88.<\/p>\n
\nFormer Kentucky governor and businessman John Y. Brown, Jr. has died at the age of 88.<\/p>\n
While Brown served as governor from 1979 to 1983, his business ventures, sports ownerships and marriage to former Miss America Phyllis George are what he might be remembered for most.<\/p>\n
He was born in Lexington in 1933 and was the son of former U.S. Representative John Y. Brown, Sr.<\/p>\n
After a brief stint in the family\u2019s law practice, Brown and a group of investors bought Kentucky Fried Chicken in 1964 for $2 million, turning Col. Harland Sanders\u2019 restaurants into a global chain.<\/p>\n
In the 1970s, Brown purchased ownership stakes in several professional basketball teams.<\/p>\n
In 1979, after marrying his second wife, Phyllis George, Brown won the Democratic party\u2019s nomination for Kentucky governor and went on to defeat former Governor Louie B. Nunn.<\/p>\n
Brown\u2019s term as governor was marked by tough economic times, budget challenges, and state employee layoffs. After serving one term, his lieutenant governor, Martha Layne Collins, went on to become Kentucky\u2019s first and only female governor.<\/p>\n
Brown tried to make a political comeback in 1987 but failed to win the Democratic party\u2019s nomination for governor.<\/p>\n
After the defeat, Brown focused again on his business ventures which included teaming up with country star Kenny Rogers to create a chicken restaurant chain and later a meal prep kitchen concept with actress Suzanne Somers.<\/p>\n
Brown\u2019s business accomplishments put him on the Harvard Business School\u2019s list of \u201cGreat American Business Leaders of the 20th Century.\u201d
\nSource: WBKO<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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