Richard Riordan

Richard Riordan
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Name	Richard Riordan
Caption	Riordan in 1993
Order	39th
Office	Mayor of Los Angeles
Term start	July 1, 1993
Term end	July 1, 2001
Predecessor	Tom Bradley
Successor	James Hahn
Birth name	Richard Joseph Riordan
Birth date	1 May 1930
Birth place	New York City, New York, U.S.
Death date	19 April 2023
Death place	Brentwood, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Party	Republican
Spouse	Genevieve McSweeney (div.), Jillaine Noelle (div.), Nancy Daly (div.), Elizabeth Gregory (died 2023)
Education	Princeton University (BA), University of Michigan (JD)
Allegiance	United States
Branch	United States Army
Serviceyears	1953–1955
Rank	First lieutenant

Richard Riordan was an American businessman, philanthropist, and politician who served as the 39th Mayor of Los Angeles from 1993 to 2001. A member of the Republican Party, he was the city's first Republican mayor in over two decades, succeeding longtime mayor Tom Bradley. His tenure was defined by efforts to revitalize the city's economy, expand the police force, and manage the aftermath of the 1992 civil unrest and the 1994 Northridge earthquake.

Early life and education

Richard Joseph Riordan was born on May 1, 1930, in New York City to a family of Irish descent. He attended Saint Ignatius High School in Cleveland before enrolling at Princeton University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy. Following his graduation, he served as a first lieutenant in the United States Army from 1953 to 1955. Riordan then pursued a legal education, receiving a Juris Doctor from the University of Michigan Law School.

Business career

After moving to Southern California, Riordan practiced law at the firm O'Melveny & Myers before embarking on a highly successful career in venture capital and private equity. He co-founded the law firm Riordan & McKinzie and became a prominent figure in the Los Angeles business community through savvy investments in technology and manufacturing firms. His most notable venture was the acquisition and turnaround of the troubled Mattel, Inc., where he served on the board of directors. Riordan amassed a considerable personal fortune, which he later used to fund extensive philanthropic efforts, including major donations to Catholic schools and the Los Angeles Public Library system.

Political career

Though a lifelong Republican, Riordan was initially more active in civic and philanthropic circles than in electoral politics. His political involvement increased following the 1992 Los Angeles riots, which highlighted deep social and economic divisions in the city. With the support of a coalition of business leaders and centrist voters, he entered the 1993 mayoral race to succeed the retiring Tom Bradley. Running on a platform of economic renewal and public safety, he defeated Michael Woo in a runoff election, becoming the first Republican to lead Los Angeles since Norris Poulson.

Mayor of Los Angeles

Riordan's two terms in office were marked by a pragmatic, pro-business approach to governance. He focused on streamlining city government, attracting new business investment, and fulfilling a campaign promise to significantly expand the LAPD under Chief Willie L. Williams and later Bernard C. Parks. His administration managed the extensive recovery from the 1994 Northridge earthquake and oversaw major projects like the revitalization of the Staples Center and Downtown Los Angeles. Riordan often clashed with the Los Angeles City Council and faced challenges including the Rampart scandal within the LAPD. He was succeeded by James Hahn in 2001 after being term-limited.

Post-mayoral activities and death

After leaving office, Riordan remained a influential civic figure, advocating for education reform in California and serving as Secretary of Education under Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. He continued his philanthropy, particularly supporting Loyola Marymount University and the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. In 2022, he made a final, unsuccessful bid for Governor of California. Richard Riordan died of natural causes on April 19, 2023, at his home in Brentwood. He was survived by his wife, Elizabeth Gregory, and five children. His legacy is that of a centrist businessman-mayor who led Los Angeles through a period of significant crisis and reconstruction.

Category:1930 births Category:2023 deaths Category:Mayors of Los Angeles Category:California Republicans Category:American businesspeople