Personal Life
Born in Etobicoke, Ford is the youngest of four children of Diane and Doug Ford, Sr.. Ford Sr. was the founder of DECO Labels and Tags, which makes pressure-sensitive labels for plastic-wrapped grocery products at an estimated $100 million in annual sales. Not long after Rob Ford's birth in 1969, the success of the family business allowed the family to build a six-bedroom home in Etobicoke, which has a swimming pool and gardens that can host nearly a thousand visitors.
While growing up, Ford attended the public Scarlett Heights Collegiate, where he constantly teased for being over-weight. Ford dreamed of becoming a professional football player and his father paid for Ford to attend special camps of the Washington Redskins and the University of Notre Dame. After graduating from high school, Ford went to Carleton University (studying political science), where he made the football squad, but did not play in any games. When Ford left Carleton after one year to return to Toronto, he did not return to active football. Ford continues to be involved in football, coaching the Don Bosco Catholic Secondary School's football team since 2001. Ford has donated $20,000 to equip the Don Bosco team and has started a foundation to fund teams at other schools struggling to field football teams.
After Carleton, Ford returned home and started a sales job at the printing business. After his father's death in 2006, Ford, along with his brothers and his mother continue to control the DECO Labels and Tags company. Ford resides in Etobicoke with his wife Renata and their daughter and son.
Ford Sr. became a Member of the Ontario Legislature during the term of the Progressive Conservative government of Mike Harris. After Ford Sr.'s death, Rob has maintained political connections with the provincial PC and the federal Conservative Parties. Former Ontario Premier Mike Harris regularly gives advice to Ford. A picture of Harris with Ford's father adorns his mayor's office. Ford describes his father as his "political hero, my business hero, he's my hero overall."
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