• by Ray Schultz , March 16, 2025

Ulysses "Junior" Bridgeman, who acquired Ebony and Jet magazines in 2021, died last week at age 71 of an apparent heart attack.

Bridgeman was the father of Eden Bridgeman, the current CEO of Ebony. 

Earlier in his career, Bridgeman was an NBA player with the Milwaukee Bucks.

A billionaire businessman, he built a fast-food empire, with more than 500 Chilis, Wendy’s, Pizza Hut and other franchises, most of which he sold for $250 million in 2015. 

Bridgeman’s firm Bridgeman Sports and Media purchased Ebony and Jet out of bankruptcy for an estimated $14 million late in 2020.

He was also widely known for his philanthropy.