Junior Bridgeman Wife Doris Griffith Bridgeman
Doris Griffith Bridgeman Biography – Doris Griffith Bridgeman Wiki
Doris Griffith Bridgeman is the wife of NBA legend Ulysses “Junior” Bridgeman. She is the Director of Alumni Affairs at Tougaloo College. She previously served as the Director of Youth Programs & Volunteer Services for United Way of the Capital Area, Inc. from October 1983 to June 2007.
Doris Griffith graduated from the University of Louisville’s College of Business in 1974. In 2015, the university awarded Junior and Doris with honorary doctorates for public service in recognition of community service and support of the university.
“There are no finer people than Doris and Junior Bridgeman,” then-U of L President James Ramsey told The Courier Journal in 2015. “They have combined brilliance and hard work to achieve many personal and professional successes.”
Doris helped build the various Bridgeman family businesses. She also takes part in many faith-based charities and community service endeavors.
Junior Bridgeman Wife Doris Griffith
Louisville native Doris Griffith Bridgeman is the wife of NBA legend Junior Bridgeman. Doris and Junior met at the University of Louisville. They married in 1976 and raised three children — Eden, Justin and Ryan. All of Bridgeman’s children have been involved in the family businesses.
Junior Bridgeman Death
Milwaukee Bucks legend and co-owner Ulysses “Junior” Bridgeman died on March 11, 2025, at the age of 71, the Milwaukee Bucks announced in a statement. He died after experiencing a medical emergency during a fundraiser at the Galt House in Louisville.
“The Milwaukee Bucks are shocked and saddened by the tragic passing of Bucks legend and owner Junior Bridgeman. “Junior’s retired No. 2 jersey hangs in Fiserv Forum, serving as a constant remembrance of his outstanding play on the court and his impact on the Bucks’ success,” the Milwaukee Bucks said in a statement.
“His hard work and perseverance led him to become one of the nation’s top business leaders and, last September, Junior’s professional life came full circle when he returned to the Bucks family as an owner. His memory will always be an inspiration to the Bucks organization.”
“We are heartbroken by Junior’s passing and we send our deepest condolences to his wife, Doris, his children, Eden, Justin, and Ryan, his entire family and all those close to him.”
Playing Career
Bridgeman played for the University of Louisville in the 1970s under coach Denny Crum before being drafted to the NBA, where he played for the Milwaukee Bucks and the Los Angeles Clippers. The 6-foot-5-inch guard-forward played for the Cardinals from 1972-75, leading U of L to the Final Four his senior year.
He was selected eighth overall in the 1975 draft by the Los Angeles Lakers, then traded to Milwaukee. He spent 12 years in the NBA, almost entirely with the Bucks. His 711 appearances for the Bucks rank third in franchise history. The franchise retired his jersey in 1988.
Entrepreneurial Endeavors
His entrepreneurial endeavors, which ultimately made him a billionaire, included numerous restaurant franchises and a Coca-Cola bottling operation, in addition to Ebony and Jet magazines.
Bridgeman built up a restaurant franchise empire spanning hundreds of locations, including Wendy’s, Chili’s and Fazoli’s. He also formed the Heartland Coca-Cola Bottling Company in 2017, servicing Kansas, Missouri and southern Illinois, according to the company.
Bridgeman served as president and CEO of Bridgeman Foods Inc. In 2018, he became a bottler for The Coca-Cola Co. In December 2020, Bridgeman Sports and Media purchased Ebony and Jet magazines for $14 million after the publications went bankrupt earlier in the year. Bridgeman was also a member of the board of directors for Churchill Downs Inc. since 2012.
