Gov. John Bel Edwards was born seventh out of eight children to Sheriff Frank Jr. and Dora Jean Edwards. He grew up in
Amite, a rural town in Tangipahoa Parish.
The governor graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1988. He served on active duty for 8
years, earning Airborne, Ranger and Jumpmaster status.
Gov. Edwards retired from the Army with the rank of captain. He moved back home and earned a law degree from
Louisiana State University before opening a civil law practice.
In 2008, he was elected to the Louisiana House of Representatives, where he served for eight years.
On January 11, 2016, John Bel Edwards was sworn in as the 56th Governor of Louisiana. On January 13, 2020, Gov.
Edwards was sworn into his second term.
He and First Lady Donna Edwards have three children: Samantha Bel, Sarah Ellen and John Miller.