Rudy Jordache

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Rudolph Jordache is the central character of the novel Rich Man, Poor Man. He was born in 1929 in Port Philip, New York, to bakery owners Axel and Mary Jordache.

[edit] Novel

In high school, Rudy was a top student, making the honor society. He was on the debate team, the track team, and he took French. He worked after school and on weekends in his parents' bakery, and he was also a trumpet player in a local band called The River Five.

He attended Whitby College in New York, and earned a B.A., majoring in Economics. After college he worked as the manager of Calderwood's Department Store in Whitby. Using his investment knowledge and business connections, he turned Calderwood's into a Dynamic and highly profitable company, and he became its president. Through his own investments he became a multi-millionaire and retired at the age of 35. He became mayor of Whitby, though had to resign over the mis-handling of a student riot. However, due to the changing political tides in the late 60's, he became a US Senator from New York.

Rudy was married to Jean, the alcoholic heir to a Wisconsin pharmaceutical empire. They have a daughter, Enid.

[edit] Television Miniseries

There are some differences in the television adaptation of Rich Man, Poor Man. It is following his retirement from Calderwood's that Rudy would become a State Senator from New York. He would then marry his childhood sweetheart, Julie Prescott.