Jeanie Buss Net Worth

Jeanie Buss is the daughter of the late Jerry Buss, the former president and controlling Los Angeles Lakers owner. She followed in her father’s footsteps, amassing quite a bit of wealth along the way. Just how much is Jeanie Buss’ net worth, though?

Jeanie Buss Net Worth

Jeanie Buss has a total net worth of $500 million. While she did take over as the Vice President of the Los Angeles Lakers after her father passed away, that is not the only way Jeanie Buss has made her money. 

Jeanie Buss Early Life

Jeanie Buss, born Jeanie Marie Buss, was born on September 26, 1961, in Santa Monica, California, to Jerry Bus, a Ph.D. graduate who studied physical chemistry, and Joann Buss. She grew up alongside three siblings; older brothers Jim Buss and Johnny Buss and a younger sister, Janie Buss. 

Jeanie grew up watching her father succeed. In the early 1960s, Jerry Buss invested in an apartment building in Los Angeles. This started a series of successful real estate investments. He co-formed a real estate business called Mariani-Buss Associates with his partner Frank Mariani. 

After this business venture and his divorce from Joann, Jerry became invested in the world of sports teams. He acquired the Los Angeles Lakers, the Los Angeles Strings, and the Los Angeles Kings, which was a hockey team. 

Jeanie maintained a positive relationship with her father after the divorce despite the emotional turmoil it caused. She frequently attended business meetings with her father and was sitting in on business meetings for teams her father owned as young as 14 years old. This would lay the foundation for her early success in life. When she was 17 years old, Jeanie moved in with her father full-time. 

Jeanie Buss Career

Jeanie began her career at the early age of 19 when she became the general manager of a professional tennis team, the Los Angeles Strings. She then became the owner of a Los Angeles roller hockey team named the Los Angeles Blades and president of the Great Western Forum. 

Education

Jeanie Buss attended college while simultaneously learning a great deal about managing sports teams from her father. She graduated with honors from the Southern University of California and majored in business. 

Her father provided her with real-life education that remains unrivaled. He appointed her as the manager of the Los Angeles Strings when she was 19. As she grew older, her father saw her business sense. He planned to have her take over the business operations for the Lakers, and she quickly became one of the most powerful women in the sports industry. 

Los Angeles Lakers

Jeanie’s father, Jerry Buss, played a key role in helping to build the Lakers into a franchise that was worth over $1 million. Under his control, the Lakers created an all-star team with players like Magic Johnson, Kobe Bryant, and Shaquille O’Neal. He watched them win ten championships. 

 Jeanie Buss is the acting president of the Los Angeles Lakers, but her father did not leave it to her. Jerry had six children, and all six of the children had control over the future of the NBA team. Buss took a decisive leadership role in the organization and with the team. Given her previous experience, it came naturally to her. 

A successful reign over the team led the Lakers to the NBA championship in 2020. She also fired the general manager, Mitch Kupchak, and the VP of Basketball Operations, her brother, Jim Buss. 

Legal Issues

Although Jeanie helped the Lakers continue to see success, some people in her family were unhappy about that. Her brother, Johnny, took her to court to take control of the Lakers away from Jeanie Buss in 2017. However, she wound up more in control of the team than she previously was and now controls 100% of the Lakers. 

Jeanie Buss Personal Life

In 1990, Jeanie Buss married professional tennis player Steve Timmons. However, the couple divorced after only three years, with Buss stating that she had put her career over her marriage. 

Soon after posing nude for Playboy, Buss became engaged to Phil Jackson, a man that was the former head coach of the Lakers. In 2016, the couple said they were no longer planning to marry. 

During an interview with Ramona Shelbourne, Buss reportedly blamed her brother for the breakup with Phil Jackson. She stated that her brother’s decision not to hire Jackson back as the head coach cost them their relationship. Phil Jackson took a job working with the New York Nicks. Buss stated that if he would have not taken the job and stayed home, it would have driven her crazy. However, the new job saw him working across the country. After this decision, the couple ended their 17-year-long relationship and canceled the engagement. 

Phil Jackson lasted a few seasons with the New York Knicks before being fired. After leaving the New York Knicks, there was no news about the couple reconciling. 

Jeanie Buss has dated stars like Dennis Rodman but has yet to make it to the altar. As of 2022, Buss has no children. 

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