Ex-kentucky governor made KFC a global enterprise
LOUISVILLE, KY. — John Y. Brown Jr., who became Kentucky’s governor after building empires in business and sports, has died. He was 88.
Brown’s family said in a release Tuesday that “every day was an exciting adventure” for the former Democratic governor, who served 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.”
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said Brown was a “remarkable leader who was committed to serving the people of Kentucky.”
Brown had been a leading Democratic fundraiser in the 1970s by the time he made his own run for public office. He also acquired an international reputation as a master salesman. Kentucky Fried Chicken was a string of small-town restaurants before Brown turned it into a global enterprise and a household name. He also had owned three professional basketball teams, including the Boston Celtics.
In the spring of 1979, newly married to TV celebrity and former Miss America Phyllis George, Brown swooped back into his home state in a bid to be governor.
In 1964, Brown purchased Kentucky Fried Chicken 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.