Dr Jerry Buss Net Worth, Relationships, Age/Birthdate & Birthday

The Man Who Turned a Modest Start Into a Sporting Empire

Jerry Buss (born January 27, 1933 — died February 18, 2013) was not born into glamour or privilege. Raised during the hardships of the Great Depression, he grew up in a small mining-town in Wyoming, working early jobs — plumbing, shining shoes, even carrying railroad ties — to help his family scrape by.

What might have been a life of hardship became a story of relentless ambition and transformation. Buss earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from University of Wyoming in just two and a half years — with a 4.0 GPA. Then he moved to Los Angeles to pursue graduate studies at University of Southern California (USC), obtaining a master’s and a Ph.D. in physical chemistry. 

Yet science was only the beginning. Guided by a deeper instinct for opportunity, Buss gradually swapped chemistry for real estate investment — a move that would eventually change the face of professional sports.

When Real Estate Became a Stage for 'Showtime'

By the late 1970s, Buss’s real estate ventures had built a foundation substantial enough to allow a bold acquisition: in 1979, he purchased the entire sports complex formerly owned by Jack Kent Cooke — including the Los Angeles Lakers, the Los Angeles Kings, the Forum arena, and other assets — for a reported $67.5 million.

From there, Buss set out not only to build championship teams — but to reinvent how basketball met entertainment. His vision was bold: transform games into events, arenas into showplaces. He introduced courtside seats for Hollywood’s elite, hired dancers for timeouts, and embraced a flamboyant, fast-paced style that matched the glitz of Los Angeles nights. “I really tried to create a Laker image, a distinct identity,” he once said.

Under his ownership, the Lakers became one of the most successful franchises in sports history: 10 NBA championships, 16 Finals appearances over 33 seasons, and a cultural legacy known as “Showtime.”

A Fortune Built, and a Legacy Cemented

At the time of his death, many estimates — including those from sources like Celebrity Net Worth — placed Jerry Buss’s net worth at around US$700 million.

The bulk of that value derived from his majority stake in the Lakers and associated real estate. In a remarkable transformation under his stewardship, the franchise alone soared in value — from the original $67.5 million purchase price to a valuation exceeding $1 billion. 

Though Buss did not live to see it, the assets he assembled and the brand he built laid the groundwork for what would become one of the most valuable sports franchises in the world — a global symbol of glamour, athletic excellence, and entertainment.

Life Beyond Basketball: Family, Relationships & Complexity

Jerry Buss’s personal life was as complex as the empire he built. He was married to JoAnn Mueller, with whom he had five children: Lee (who was adopted), Johnny, Jim, Jeanie, and Janie. Their marriage ended in divorce in 1972.

Almost simultaneously, Buss began a relationship with Veronica Hoff — a domestic partnership that lasted until 1980.

In later years, with girlfriend Karen Demel, he fathered two additional children: Joey and Jesse.

Despite his success, Buss’s personal life was sometimes turbulent. His reputation as a playboy was well-known, and accounts from the time describe a pattern of high-profile relationships and lifestyle choices aligned with the glamorous Hollywood-sports mix he championed.

The Final Chapter & Enduring Influence

Jerry Buss passed away on February 18, 2013, at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. The immediate cause was kidney failure, following a battle with cancer.

At his memorial service — attended by friends, family, former players, and industry figures — countless tributes poured in. Magic Johnson lauded him as “the most competitive owner you could ever meet.”

The legacy of Jerry Buss is not only measured in championship rings or dollar signs. It lives in the pulsating energy of arenas, the marriage of sport and entertainment, and the way the game of basketball is watched, experienced, and celebrated globally. As the owner who embraced glamour and spectacle — while demanding excellence — he remains unmatched in the history of professional sports ownership.

Why Jerry Buss Still Matters Today

• He proved that sports franchises could transcend local fanbases and become global cultural icons, marrying athletic competition with Hollywood-style showmanship.

• He demonstrated the power of smart real estate and asset investment as a foundation for building long-term wealth and influence.

• More than anything, he reshaped expectations for team owners — not just as financiers, but as visionaries, entertainers, and brand-builders.

Buss’s life — from Salt Lake City to the pinnacle of NBA glory — remains a testament to ambition, reinvention, and the audacity to dream big.