Who is Kwame Kilpatrick? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

Also Known As: Kwame Malik Kilpatrick

Age: 53 Years, 53 Year Old Males

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Carlita Kilpatrick (m. 1995–2018)

father: Bernard Kilpatrick

mother: Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick

siblings: Ayanna Kilpatrick

children: Jalil Kilpatrick, Jelani Kilpatrick, Jonas Kilpatrick

Born Country: United States

Political Leaders American Men

Height: 6'5" (196 cm), 6'5" Males

Notable Alumni: Michigan State University College Of Law, Florida A&M University

Grouping of People: Black Politician

City: Detroit, Michigan

U.S. State: Michigan

More Facts

education: Michigan State University, Florida A&M University, Michigan State University College Of Law

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Childhood & Early Life

Kwame Kilpatrick was born on 8th June 1970 to Bernard Kilpatrick and Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick. His father was a semi-professional basketball player and politician, who was elected to Wayne County Commission. From 1989 to 2002, he had also served as the head of Wayne County Health and Human Services Department. His mother was a politician as well, who had served in the Michigan`s House of Representatives and later in the United States House of Representatives for Michigan`s 13th congressional district from 1996 to 2010.

His parents divorced when he was eleven years ols. He has a sister and a half-sister named Ayanna and Diarra, respectively. He pursued his education from Cass Technical High School and later from Florida A&M University, from where he received a B Sc degree in political science in 1992. Later in 1999, he also received a Juris Doctor degree from the Detroit College of Law.

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Career

Kwame Kilpatrick was elected to the Michigan House of Representatives in 1996, shortly after his mother vacated her seat. His high school friends Derrick Miller and Christine Beatty were his campaign staff.

He was also elected minority floor leader for the Michigan Democratic Party, and he served in the position from 1998 to 2000. He was also the first African-American to be elected as house minority leader in 2001. Later, he also ran for mayor of Detroit, and hired Berg/Muirhead Associates for his election campaign.

Upon winning the election, he became the youngest mayor ever in the history of Detroit, at the age of 31. He earned criticism shortly after for using city funds to lease a Lincoln Navigator for personal and family use. He is also criticized for using his city-issued credit card ON spa massages worth thousands of dollars, luxurious dining and ON expensive wine.

In the meantime, however, he closed the Belle Isle Zoo, which was around 100 years old, along with the Belle Isle Aquarium due to the city`s budget problems. Time magazine named him as one of the worst mayors of the nation in 2005.

The mayor of Detroit is also the special administrator of the Detroit Water Department since the 1970s, due to pollution related issues. However, in 2005, Kilpatrick`s special administratorship in his capacity as mayor was removed as there were questions raised about water department contracts. The Detroit News also reported in January 2006 that Kilpatrick had used his special administrator authority to bypass the water board and City Council on three controversial contracts.

Despite the controversies he was able to win for a second term with 53 % of the vote. Shortly after, he was hospitalized and diagnosed with diverticulitis, while he was in Houston, Texas.

On 11th March 2008, he delivered his seventh `State of the City` address to the city. During the 70-minute speech, he focused on positive changes that occurred throughout Detroit, and also talked about future plans. He also talked about increased police surveillance, new policing technology and so on. He also alleged that the media was focusing on the scandals just to gain viewership.

Controversies & Felonies

On 24th Marc, 2008, Kwame Kilpatrick was charged with eight felony counts. They included perjury, misconduct in office, and obstruction of justice. The Detroit City Council in May 2008, approved a resolution which requested that Michigan`s governor should remove Kilpatrick from office. Three months later, two new felony counts were also filed against him for assaulting and interfering with a law officer.

Detroit City Council President Kenneth Cockrel Jr, replaced him as the new mayor on 19th September 2008. Kilpatrick was initially sentenced to four months in jail though he was released on probation after he had served 99 days.

On 25 May 2010, he was sentenced to eighteen months to five years in state prison for violating his probation. He served for some time at the Oaks Correctional Facility in northwest Michigan.

On 11th March 2013, he was convicted of 24 federal felony counts, including mail fraud, wire fraud and racketeering. He was also sentenced to 28 years in federal prison on 10 October 2013.

Family & Personal Life

Kwame Kilpatrick was married to Carlita Kilpatrick. They divorced in 2018. The couple had three children.

He also had an affair with Christine Beatty.

Kwame Kilpatrick Biography