Home > Marge Schott

Born Margaret Unnewehr, she was the daugher of a Cincinnati, Ohio native who grew wealthy in the lumber business. She married Charles Schott, a member of a wealthy Cincinnati family, in 1952, and inherited his automobile dealerships and interests in other industries, when he died of a heart attack in 1968.

In 1981, Schott first purchased a stake in the Cincinnati Reds. On December 21, 1984, Marge Schott purchased controlling interest for a reported $11 million and, making her a general partner and majority owner in the Reds organization and in 1985, she was named President and CEO of the club. She quickly became one of baseball's most publicly visible and outspoken owners.

In 1992, Schott became embroiled in controversy after allegedly calling former Reds Eric Davis and Dave Parker, "million-dollar niggerThe word nigger is a highly controversial term used in many countries, specifically those in the British and American political axis, to refer to individuals with dark skin, especially those of African origin who were racially classified by the outdated ts." It was also alleged that Schott had a swastikaThe swastika is a cross with its arms bent 90° to either right or left. It is usually oriented horizontally or at a 45° angle. Geometrically, the swastika might be regarded as an irregular icosagon, a 20-sided polygon. Its Indian form typically features a armband at home. On November 14November 14 is the 318th day of the year (319th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 47 days remaining. Events 1800-1899 1851 Herman Melville's novel Moby-Dick is published in the U. by Harper & Brothers, New York after it was first published on, Schott issued a statement saying that she was "not a racist." On November 29November 29 is the 333rd (in leap years the 334th) day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. There are 32 days remaining. Events 1777 San Jose, California, is founded as el Pueblo de San Jose de Guadalupe''. It is the first civilian settlement, or pueblo, she was quoted in the New York Times as saying that Adolf HitlerAdolf Hitler ( April 20, 1889 April 30, 1945) was the Fuhrer (leader) of the National Socialist German Workers' Party and of Nazi Germany from 1933 to 1945. In that capacity he was Chancellor of Germany, head of government, and head of state, ruling as a was initially good for GermanyThe Federal Republic of Germany ( German: Bundesrepublik Deutschland is one of the world's leading industrialized countries, located in the middle of the European Union. It is bordered to the north by the North Sea, Denmark and the Baltic Sea, to the east and that she didn't understand why the slur " Jap" was offensive. Major League Baseball appointed a committee to investigate Schott.

On February 3, 1993, Marge Schott was fined US $25,000 and banned from day-to-day operations of the Reds for the year stemming from her use of racial and ethnic slurs. She returned to work on November 1.

On May 18, 1994, Schott was again caught up in controversy saying that she didn't want her players to wear earrings saying that "only fruits wear earrings." On May 5, 1996, Schott again said that she thought Hitler "was good in the beginning, but went too far." In response, Major League Baseball again banned Schott from day-to-day operations through 1998.

On April 20, 1999, Marge Schott agreed to sell her controlling interest in the Cincinnati Reds for $67 million to a group led by Cincinnati businessman, Carl Lindner . At the time she was facing a third suspension from Major League Baseball and an expiring ownership agreement with her limited partners, who planned to oust her. Schott continued to own a limited share of the team, however.

In 2001, Schott, a long-time smoker, began to develop health problems. She was hospitalized twice for breathing problems and suffered from pneumonia in 2003. On February 9, 2004, Marge Schott was hospitalized. Some reports claim Schott was hospitalized due to a cold while others said she complained of knee ailments. However, during her stay, Schott developed breathing problems and had to be put on life support. She died on March 2.

In addition to her interest in the Reds, Schott was also a major contributor to charitable organizations in Cincinnati, including Children's Hospital and the Cincinnati Zoo.