Edwin Edwards net worth is estimated at $10 million. Born Edwin Washington Edwards on August 7, 1927, in Marksville, Louisiana, he became one of the most influential and colorful politicians in the state’s history. A member of the Democratic Party, Edwards served as the 50th Governor of Louisiana across four non-consecutive terms (1972–1980, 1984–1988, 1992–1996). His tenure of nearly 16 years in office remains the longest for any Louisiana governor, placing him among the longest-serving governors in U.S. history.
Edwin Washington Edwards (August 7, 1927 – July 12, 2021)[1][2][3] was an American politician who served as the U.S. representative for Louisiana’s 7th congressional district from 1965 to 1972 and as the 50th governor of Louisiana for four terms (1972–1980, 1984–1988, and 1992–1996). A member of the Democratic Party, he served twice as many elected terms as any other Louisiana chief executive. He served a total of almost 16 years in gubernatorial office, which at 5,784 days is the sixth-longest such tenure in post-Constitutional U.S. history.[4]
An influential figure in Louisiana politics, Edwards, who was dubbed the “very last of the line of New Deal Southern Democrats“,[5] was long dogged by charges of corruption. In 2001, he was found guilty of racketeering charges and sentenced to ten years in federal prison. Edwards began serving his sentence in October 2002 in Fort Worth, Texas, and was later transferred to the federal facility in Oakdale, Louisiana. He was released from federal prison in January 2011, having served eight years.[6] He was also considered to be the last remnant of the political machine founded and led by Huey Long and Earl Long to serve as governor.
In 2014, Edwards again sought election to the U.S. House of Representatives, running to represent Louisiana’s 6th congressional district.[7] He placed first in the jungle primary, but was defeated by Republican Garret Graves by nearly 25 percentage points in the runoff election,[8] a sign of Edwards’ precipitous decline in popularity due to his felony conviction, as well as the Republican Party of Louisiana‘s growing dominance over state politics.
Early Life and Education
Edwards grew up in Avoyelles Parish, the son of Clarence Edwards, a sharecropper, and Agnès Brouillette, a French-speaking Catholic. His family background gave him a strong connection to Cajun and Creole Louisiana. After serving briefly in the U.S. Navy Air Corps during World War II, Edwards earned his law degree from Louisiana State University Law Center and began practicing law in Crowley. His legal career soon opened doors to politics.
Political Career
Edwards entered politics as a Crowley City Council member in 1954, later moving to the Louisiana State Senate in 1964. He gained national attention as a U.S. Representative for Louisiana’s 7th District from 1965 to 1972.
In 1972, Edwards won the governor’s seat in a historic election, supported by Cajun, Creole, and African-American voters. His four terms were marked by charisma, populist policies, and major influence in Louisiana politics. He called for constitutional reform, promoted state infrastructure, and became known for his quick wit and flamboyant personality.
Wealth, Net Worth, and Business Ventures
During and after his political career, Edwards accumulated wealth through law practice, consulting, public speaking, and later media appearances. His estimated $10 million net worth reflects a lifetime of work in politics, legal practice, and entertainment.
Edwards also gained notoriety in the early 2000s when he was convicted on charges including racketeering and served eight years in federal prison. He was released in 2011 and later made a return to public life.
Later Life and Media
In his later years, Edwards starred in the A&E reality series “The Governor’s Wife” alongside his wife Trina Edwards, 51 years his junior. In 2013, the couple welcomed a son together, adding to Edwards’ large family from previous marriages.
Even after controversies, Edwards remained a figure of fascination in Louisiana, embodying the state’s reputation for bold, larger-than-life politics. He passed away on July 12, 2021, at the age of 93, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most famous governors in U.S. history.
Health and death
Edwards did not drink alcohol or smoke.[9]
In 2015, Edwards was hospitalized for pneumonia.[98] On December 13, 2016, Edwards was hospitalized under stable condition again for pneumonia in Baton Rouge.[99]
Edwards was rushed to the hospital again by ambulance in November 2020, with shortness of breath. Edwards returned to his home in Gonzales after spending two nights at Our Lady of the Lake Medical Center in Baton Rouge. It was reported that he had a common head cold and he reportedly tested negative for both COVID-19 and pneumonia, as well as the flu. His wife told the media that he was resting well and “giving orders” once he got home.
Edwards was sent to hospice care for pain in his lungs in Gonzales, Louisiana on July 6, 2021.[100] He died six days later on July 12, 26 days short of his 94th birthday.[101] The cause of death was respiratory complications.[102] At the time of his death, Edwards had outlived four of his successors: Dave Treen, Buddy Roemer, Mike Foster, and Kathleen Blanco.
He would lie in state at the Louisiana State Capitol in Baton Rouge on July 17, 2021.[103][104] He was initially buried at Resthaven Gardens of Memory,[104][105] Baton Rouge, East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana, However, his widow Trina would later exhume his remains in October 2021 and have him cremated.[105] A year after Edwards’ death, Trina would be engaged to another Louisiana political legend, former Louisiana House speaker and Senate President John Alario.[106] Alario was notably Edwards’ handpicked choice when he twice served as speaker of the House.
