Virginia Ali

Virginia Ali (; born December 17, 1933) is an American business owner known for co-founding Ben's Chili Bowl in Washington, D.C.

Early life Ali was born on December 17, 1933, and is of African American and Native American descent. She was raised in rural Virginia and was educated in a segregated school system. She moved with her family to Washington, D.C., in the 1950s. It was there that she met husband Ben Ali when he visited the bank to deposit money from a local restaurant where he worked. Many famous entertainers frequented the family-run restaurant, in the heart of the Shaw neighborhood. The restaurant became a favorite late-night gathering place for the likes of Duke Ellington, Dinah Washington and Redd Foxx.

During the 1968 Washington, D.C., riots after the death of King, Ali kept the Chili Bowl open at the request of Stokely Carmichael.

Awards and honors Ali and her husband were inducted into the DC Hall of Fame in 2002.

Personal life Virginia and Ben Ali were married on October 10, 1958; together they had three sons. Each of their children were given the middle name Ben in case they took over the restaurant.