Leigh Anne Tuohy

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Leigh Anne Tuohy
Born
Leigh Anne Roberts

(1960-08-09) August 9, 1960 (age 61)
Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.
EducationBriarcrest Christian School
University of Mississippi
OccupationBusinesswoman
Interior designer
Spouse(s)
​
(m. 1982)​
Children3 including:
Michael Oher (adopted)

Leigh Anne Tuohy (née Roberts; born August 9, 1960) is an American businesswoman and interior designer. She is best known for being the adoptive mother of Michael Oher. Their story was featured in the 2006 book The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game and its 2009 feature film adaptation The Blind Side.[1] In the film, Tuohy was portrayed by Sandra Bullock, who won an Academy Award and a Golden Globe Award for her performance.

Early life[]

She was born in Memphis, Tennessee, the daughter of Virginia (née Cummings) and Stanley Roberts, a U.S. air marshal. She has one brother, Stanford Roberts, and two nephews Bradford Roberts, and Wade Roberts. Growing up, she was close to her maternal grandmother, Virginia "Virgie" (Collins) Cummings, who lived with her family.[2][3] She graduated from Briarcrest Christian School in Memphis, Tennessee. In the early 1980s, she graduated from University of Mississippi, where she became a member of the Kappa Delta sorority, was a cheerleader,[4] and met her future husband, Sean Tuohy, a basketball player for the Ole Miss Rebels.[5]

Career[]

Tuohy and her husband own more than 85 fast food franchises, including those of Taco Bell, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Pizza Hut, and Long John Silver's.[6]

Tuohy is also an interior designer. In 2010, she was named one of three new design team members for ABC's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.[7]

Tuohy and her husband are also the co-authors of the book In a Heartbeat: Sharing the Power of Cheerful Giving, which was released in 2010.[8]

Personal life[]

Tuohy married her husband Sean Tuohy in 1982. They have three children. Their adopted son Michael Oher is a former National Football League offensive lineman.[9][10] Their daughter Collins Tuohy was a state champion pole vaulter and a cheerleader at the University of Mississippi. Their son Sean "SJ" Tuohy, Jr. played basketball for the Loyola Greyhounds.[11] Tuohy and her husband live in Memphis, Tennessee.

Tuohy gave the commencement address at Christian Brothers University on May 14, 2010. She also received an honorary degree from the university during its commencement ceremony for her commitment to the less fortunate and her ongoing quest to recruit others to make a difference.[12]

References[]

  1. ^ "THE BLIND SIDE (2009)". History vs. Hollywood. December 11, 2013.
  2. ^ Tuohy, Leigh ann (2010). In a Heartbeat:Sharing the Power of Cheerful Giving. Macmillan. ISBN 9780312577186.
  3. ^ de Bertodano, Helena (March 5, 2010). "Oscars 2010: Leigh Anne Tuohy interview". London: The Telegraph. Retrieved April 20, 2011.
  4. ^ "Leigh Anne Tuohy is the Real "Blind side" Mother Photos and Video. - RightFielders Women in Sports". Archived from the original on March 7, 2016. Retrieved April 17, 2017.
  5. ^ Lewis, Michael (2007). The Blind Side. New York, N.Y.: W.W. Norton & Company, Inc. p. 62. ISBN 978-0-393-33047-2.
  6. ^ Ashby, Andy (July 1, 2007). "RGT Management plans to aggressively grow new chain in its portfolio". Memphis Business Journal. Retrieved August 27, 2009.
  7. ^ "ABC Medianet". ABC Medianet. Archived from the original on October 22, 2010. Retrieved November 13, 2010.
  8. ^ "'In a Heartbeat' highlights the bright side of the Tuohys". Baltimore Sun. Retrieved April 15, 2011.
  9. ^ Lewis, Michael (September 24, 2006), "The Ballad of Big Mike", New York Times Magazine
  10. ^ "People | Depth Chart". Baltimore Ravens. Archived from the original on November 11, 2010. Retrieved November 13, 2010.
  11. ^ Meet the Grizzlies Broadcast Team Archived November 1, 2009, at the Wayback Machine at NBA.com. Retrieved August 23, 2009.
  12. ^ "Leigh Anne Tuohy to Deliver CBU Commencement Address". CBU.edu. April 8, 2010. Archived from the original on July 8, 2010. Retrieved July 2, 2010.

External links[]

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