Here’s how George Jefferson made his money:
1. George’s Dry Cleaning Business
George Jefferson was a self-made man who started his dry cleaning business with little more than ambition and a desire to improve his family’s economic status. Early in the show, it is established that George owns and operates several dry cleaning stores across the city. By the time the series begins, he has expanded his business into a chain of stores, making him a successful and wealthy entrepreneur.
The dry cleaning business was the cornerstone of George’s financial success. He frequently talks about his work ethic and how he built his business from the ground up, overcoming obstacles and prejudice along the way. His wealth is portrayed as a symbol of his success and his upward mobility from his humble beginnings.
2. The Jeffersons’ Move to the Upper East Side
The Jefferson family’s move from their modest apartment in Queens to their luxurious high-rise apartment on the Upper East Side of Manhattan is the catalyst for the show’s storyline. George’s success with his dry cleaning business allows him to afford this move, which is a major part of the show’s premise.
This move is symbolic of the Jeffersons’ upward mobility—George’s business has elevated their social status and given them access to a higher level of comfort and privilege, though it also creates a comedic contrast between George’s brash, working-class roots and the more refined, affluent world he now inhabits.
3. George’s Entrepreneurial Spirit and Hard Work
A major theme of the show is George’s pride in his self-made success. He is a proud African-American businessman who worked hard to build his wealth, often saying things like, “I didn’t get where I am by sitting around!” He’s shown to have an aggressive business mindset, but his hard work and determination are central to the show’s narrative. His wealth is not inherited, nor is it the result of luck; instead, it reflects his commitment to his business and his ability to overcome obstacles in his pursuit of financial independence.
4. The Symbolism of Wealth
George’s wealth is not just about money—it’s symbolic of broader themes of economic empowerment and social mobility, particularly for African-American families. The show aired during the 1970s and 1980s, a time when issues of race, class, and civil rights were central to American life. The Jeffersons was one of the first television shows to portray a successful African-American family living in an upscale, predominantly white environment, challenging stereotypes and breaking new ground in the portrayal of African-American life.
George’s wealth also allowed him to stand up for himself and his family, showing the importance of financial independence in his ability to assert his voice in a society that often marginalized him. His success becomes a source of both pride and humor, as George occasionally acts in a boisterous, overly confident manner to assert his newfound social status.
5. A Theme of Self-Made Success
The show presented George as a role model for economic self-sufficiency, a character who represented the potential for success through hard work and perseverance. His financial success was built on his ability to build a business from the ground up, often emphasizing the importance of self-reliance and ambition.
This message was important in the context of the times, as The Jeffersons aired during a period when African-American success stories were not often portrayed on TV. The show reinforced the idea that anyone, regardless of their race or background, could achieve success and upward mobility through their own efforts.
The Jeffersons’ money primarily came from George’s successful dry cleaning business, which he built up over time. His wealth symbolized the American Dream, representing a self-made man who rose from humble beginnings through hard work and entrepreneurial spirit. The show’s premise was built around the family’s move to a luxury apartment in Manhattan, reflecting their newfound status as affluent members of society, thanks to George’s business success.
