Edward Downe, Jr.

Edward Reynolds Downe Jr. (August 31, 1929-October 1, 2023) was an American businessman and socialite. Biography Downe graduated from the University of Missouri's Missouri School of Journalism in 1952. He worked in a variety of capacities at two Virginia newspapers before joining True magazine. In 1954, he left True to become an editor at the rival magazine Argosy; he later moved into advertising at Argosy. In 1966, Downe purchased Family Weekly, a newspaper insert similar to Parade Magazine. He founded Downe Communications in 1967. Through this company he went on to acquire magazines including The Ladies' Home Journal, and The American Home. Downe eventually sold Downe Communications to the Charter Company, a Jacksonville, Florida based oil and insurance conglomerate for approximately $9 million. Downe divorced his first wife, Naomi Susan Campbell, in 1977. Downe married heiress Charlotte Ford (mother of Elena Ford) on his 57th birthday, August 31, 1986. Insider trading In 1992, the Securities and Exchange Commission charged that in the mid- to late-1980s Downe and associated exchanged inside information in order to make illegal stock trades.