William Jarrett was an American doctor who specialized in obstetrics and gynecology. He was also the ex-husband of Valerie Jarrett, a former senior adviser to President Barack Obama and the current CEO of the Obama Foundation. Jarrett died suddenly of cardiac arrest at the age of 40 in 1993. Here are some facts about his life, career, marriage, and death.
William Jarrett Wiki/Bio
| Name | William Jarrett |
|---|---|
| Birth Date | October 4, 1953 |
| Birth Place | Chicago, Illinois, USA |
| Death Date | November 20, 1993 |
| Death Place | Chicago, Illinois, USA |
| Cause of Death | Cardiac arrest due to Behcet’s syndrome |
| Occupation | Doctor, Director of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Jackson Park Hospital |
| Education | Roosevelt University, Abraham Lincoln School of Medicine at the University of Illinois |
| Spouse(s) | Valerie Jarrett (m. 1983; div. 1988), Sherry Luck Jarrett (m. 1989; his death 1993) |
| Children | Laura Jarrett (with Valerie), Vernon C. Jarrett (with Sherry), Khadija Holman (stepdaughter) |
| Parents | Vernon Jarrett (father), Fernetta Jarrett (mother) |
| Siblings | Thomas S. Jarrett (brother) |
| Awards | National award from Dollars & Cents magazine, Best Young Doctor in Chicago for African-American History |
| Social Links | Instagram- #williamjarrett Homepage- WIkiBioStar |
Biography
William Jarrett was born on October 4, 1953 (age: 40 years, when he died), in Chicago, Illinois. He was the son of Vernon Jarrett, a renowned journalist and columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times, and Fernetta Jarrett, a homemaker. He had a brother named Thomas S. Jarrett. He grew up in a middle-class African-American family and attended public schools in Chicago. He was interested in science and medicine from a young age and excelled in his studies.
He graduated from Roosevelt University, after having attended Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee. He then completed his medical education at the Abraham Lincoln School of Medicine at the University of Illinois in Chicago. He served his residency at Pontiac General Hospital in Pontiac, Michigan, where he became the chief resident and a lecturer.
Career and Achievements
William Jarrett was a doctor who worked as the director of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Jackson Park Hospital in Chicago. He was also a surgeon and a clinical instructor at the University of Illinois. He was known for his expertise and compassion in treating women’s health issues, especially in the African-American community. He also opened two medical offices with his second wife, Dr. Sherry Luck Jarrett, one at 79th and Stony Island and the other on the North Side of Chicago.
He was recognized for his good deeds and achievements in the medical field. He received a national award from Dollars & Cents magazine in 1992 for his outstanding service and contribution to the community. He was also one of the best young doctors in Chicago for African-American history, according to the Chicago Defender newspaper.
Marriage and Divorce
William Jarrett married Valerie Jarrett, a lawyer and businesswoman, in 1983. They had known each other since childhood and were friends of Michelle and Barack Obama. They had a daughter, Laura Jarrett, who was born in 1983. Laura Jarrett is now a lawyer and a CNN correspondent.
However, their marriage did not last long and they separated in 1987. They finalized their divorce in 1988. Valerie Jarrett later said that Jarrett was an emotionally absent husband and that she wanted to do something that would make their daughter proud. She also said that she remained friends with Jarrett until his death.
William remarried Dr. Sherry Luck Jarrett, a pediatrician, in 1989. They had a son, Vernon C. Jarrett, who was born in 1990. He also became the stepfather of Khadija Holman, Sherry’s daughter from a previous relationship.
About His Daughter
Laura Jarrett is the daughter of William Jarrett and Valerie Jarrett, who was a senior adviser to former President Barack Obama. Laura Jarrett is a lawyer and a journalist, who works as a senior legal correspondent for NBC News and a co-anchor of Saturday TODAY. She is famous for covering important legal and political stories, such as the Trump Justice Department, the Supreme Court, and the 2020 presidential election. She is also a mother of two children, James and June, and a wife of Canadian politician Tony Balkissoon.
Valerie Jarrett Leaves Lyft Board to Focus on Obama Foundation
Valerie Jarrett, a former senior adviser to President Barack Obama and the ex-wife of the late Dr. William Jarrett has stepped down from the board of directors of Lyft Inc., the ride-hailing company announced on Monday.
Jarrett, who joined the board in 2017, said in a statement that she was leaving to focus on her role as the CEO of the Obama Foundation, a nonprofit organization that aims to inspire and empower people to change their world.
“I am incredibly proud of the work we have done together at Lyft, and I am confident that the company will continue to lead the way in creating a more sustainable, equitable, and accessible transportation system for everyone,” Jarrett said.
Lyft co-founder and CEO Logan Green thanked Jarrett for her contributions and praised her as a “visionary leader” who helped shape the company’s values and vision.
“Valerie has been a tremendous asset to our board and a trusted partner to me and the entire Lyft team. She has brought invaluable insights and guidance on a range of issues, from social impact and diversity to public policy and governance,” Green said.
Jarrett’s departure comes as Lyft faces several challenges, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on its business, the regulatory uncertainty over the status of its drivers, and the competition from its rival Uber Technologies Inc.
Death and Legacy
William Jarrett died suddenly of cardiac arrest at the age of 40 on November 20, 1993. He was on his way to the hospital when he collapsed and could not be revived. According to sources, he had been diagnosed with Behcet’s syndrome, a rare rheumatological condition that causes inflammation of the blood vessels and can affect various organs. He had been suffering from symptoms such as fever, fatigue, mouth ulcers, and joint pain for several months before his death.
His death was a shock and a loss to his family, friends, colleagues, and patients. He was remembered as a loving father, a devoted husband, a talented doctor, and a generous person. He was buried at Oak Woods Cemetery in Chicago. His obituary was published in the Chicago Tribune and the Chicago Sun-Times.
His legacy lives on through his children, who have followed his footsteps in pursuing careers in law and medicine.
Jarrett’s ex-wife, Valerie Jarrett, is also a prominent figure in American politics and society. She served as a senior adviser to President Barack Obama from 2009 to 2017 and was one of his closest confidants. She is currently the CEO of the Obama Foundation, a nonprofit organization that aims to inspire and empower people to change their world. She is also an author, a speaker, and a board member of various organizations. She has been named one of the most influential women in the world by Time magazine, Forbes magazine, and Vanity Fair magazine.
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