History of Christopher Jarrett Medina Gardner

Christopher Jarrett Medina Gardner‘s story is one of inspiration and perseverance. Born in January 1981 to Jackie Medina, Christopher spent his early years in poverty as his father, Chris Gardner, was absent from his life. However, in an incredible rags to riches tale, Chris Gardner transformed from being homeless to a self-made millionaire, with his journey depicted in the book and film “The Pursuit of Happyness.” Christopher played a pivotal yet overlooked role in this incredible story. By examining Christopher’s life and relationship with his father, we can gain insight into how he overcame adversity.

Did Chris Gardner get back with Jackie?

Christopher Jarrett Medina Gardner was born to Chris Gardner and Jackie Medina in 1981. Though the two were never married, they had a relationship that resulted in their son Christopher. However, soon after Christopher was born, Chris left Jackie to raise their infant son alone.

Chris’s absence characterized much of Christopher’s early childhood. Chris did not provide financial support, leaving Jackie to support Christopher in poverty. Though Chris later reconnected with Christopher when he was 28, he did not seem to rekindle a romance with Jackie. Their relationship remained centered on co-parenting Christopher.

So in summary, though Chris fathered a child with Jackie, he did not stay with her to raise Christopher. Their relationship did not withstand the test of time, and they seemed to remain apart while jointly parenting their son.

What happened to Christopher Gardner’s wife?

In the film version of “The Pursuit of Happyness,” Chris Gardner is depicted as having a wife who leaves him early in the story. However, in real life, Chris Gardner was never married to Jackie Medina, the mother of his only child Christopher.

Some sources suggest Chris may have been in a common-law marriage with another woman, Sherry Dyson, in the early 1980s around the time he was homeless with young Christopher. However, not much is known about Sherry or the status of their relationship. There are no records indicating Chris and Sherry officially married.

The confusion seems to stem from the movie’s fictionalized account of Chris’s life. His real struggles as a single father were perhaps made more dramatic in the film by portraying him as abandoned by his wife. But in reality, Chris did not have a wife during the time period depicted. His only family was his son Christopher, who he parented alone.

What is Chris Gardner’s son doing?

Chris Gardner’s son, Christopher Jarrett Medina Gardner, was born in 1981. After reuniting with his father at age 28, Christopher went on to achieve success in business and motivational speaking.

Professionally, Christopher followed in his father’s entrepreneurial footsteps. He started his own management and brokerage firm called Gardner Rich & Co. He also became a prolific public speaker, sharing his family’s rags to riches story to inspire others.

Now in his 40s, Christopher continues to run his successful company. He also serves as co-chair on the board of the Gardner Rich Foundation, a non-profit focused on financial literacy and empowerment established by his father.

Christopher experienced homelessness firsthand as a child, but ultimately overcame those humble beginnings to find career success and share his family’s uplifting story. His drive to achieve despite adversity makes him a role model like his father.

Is Chris Gardner currently married?

Chris Gardner, the self-made millionaire and philanthropist who inspired the film “The Pursuit of Happyness,” has been married twice.

His first marriage was to a woman named Sherry Dyson in the early 1980s. Several sources report they were in a common-law marriage, but no records exist of an official union and their relationship status is unclear.

In 2006, Chris married his second wife, Glenda Gardner, who remains his spouse today. Glenda is mother to Chris’s younger son Christopher Gardner Jr., born in 2007.

So in summary, Chris Gardner is currently married to his second wife Glenda, whom he wed in 2006. She is his only official wife, despite unclear earlier reports of a common-law marriage to Sherry Dyson. Chris and Glenda parent Christopher Jr. together, while Chris’s elder son is Christopher Jarrett Medina Gardner from a previous relationship.

How old is Chris Gardner’s son in the movie?

In the 2006 film “The Pursuit of Happyness,” Chris Gardner’s son Christopher is portrayed by actor Jaden Smith, son of Will Smith. Jaden was around 8 years old during filming, though he plays a 5-year-old Christopher in the movie.

In real life, Christopher Jarrett Medina Gardner was born in 1981. The movie depicts the year 1981, when Christopher would have been a newborn. But the film takes creative liberties by showing Christopher as a talkative toddler capable of caring for himself at times.

This likely made for a more dramatic on-screen relationship between Chris and Christopher as Jaden Smith could converse with his movie father. Their emotional connection seems more realistic and relatable for audiences than if Christopher had been depicted as an infant.

So while Chris Gardner’s real son was just a baby in 1981, he is portrayed as a 5-year-old by 8-year-old Jaden Smith in the fictionalized film version. This allowed for a more meaningful on-screen father-son dynamic.

Does Chris Gardner get the job?

Spoiler alert – in both the true story and fictionalized film version, Chris Gardner does ultimately get the job at the end of his difficult journey.

After months of financial struggles, eviction, and homelessness, Chris perseveres through his stock broker training program and impresses his superiors with his tenacity and salesmanship.

In the emotional conclusion to “The Pursuit of Happyness,” Chris arrives to work one morning dressed in a new suit, ready to begin his career. His boss informs him he is being made a full employee as the only trainee to have made it through the highly competitive program.

Chris had defied the odds through tireless work and sacrifice to achieve this dream career. His hard-won success provides security for himself and his young son Christopher. The film ends on this triumphant note, staying true to Chris’s real life story of determination and beating the odds.

Conclusion

Christopher Jarrett Medina Gardner‘s life story provides an inspirational tale of overcoming adversity. Born into poverty after his father Chris Gardner abandoned the family, Christopher spent his early childhood homeless. Yet he maintained a positive spirit, motivating his father to achieve his own success. Christopher grew up to become an entrepreneur and motivational speaker himself, while building a relationship with his once absent dad. His perseverance through early struggles and hardship serves as a powerful example of hope and human potential. Christopher Jarrett Medina Gardner proves that dedication and resilience can help you prevail over life’s toughest challenges.