Former Canadian professional ice hockey player Mario Lemieux net worthis $200 million. Lemieux, often known as "Le Magnifique" and "Super Mario," is regarded as one of the best hockey players in history. He won the Stanley Cup twice throughout his 17-season playing career. He took over the team's ownership in 1999, and once his playing career was over, he added three more championships to his collection. It is even more amazing that he smashed several records during his playing career when you consider how many health concerns Mario had to cope with. Many medical professionals have said that he might have accomplished even more on the ice if he hadn't been battling conditions like a ruptured disc and Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Name | Mario Lemieux |
Date Of Birth | Oct 5, 1965 |
Gender | Male |
Place Of Birth | Montreal |
Profession | Ice hockey player |
Nationality | Canada |
Net Worth | $200 Million |
Lemieux was born to Jean-Guy and Pierrette Lemieux. He has two brothers, Alain and Richard. He is married to Nathalie Asselin since June 26, 1993. The couple has four children together named Lauren, Stephanie, Austin, and Alexa. Throughout his career, Lemieux faced numerous health challenges. He was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma in 1993 and took a break from hockey to undergo treatment. He made a successful comeback in 1995.
He also had ongoing back problems and eventually retired from professional hockey in 2006 due to persistent health issues. Lemieux is actively involved in philanthropic endeavors. In 1993, he established the Mario Lemieux Foundation, which focuses on cancer research and patient care. The foundation also supports other charitable causes, including neonatal research and quality of life for individuals with physical and cognitive disabilities.
After retiring as a player, Lemieux became the owner of the Pittsburgh Penguins, the team he played for throughout his NHL career. He initially became a minority owner in 1999 and later took over as majority owner in 2005. Under his ownership, the Penguins have achieved significant success, including multiple Stanley Cup championships. Besides his involvement in hockey, Lemieux has also ventured into business. He has owned several restaurants, including the popular "Mario's," located in the Pittsburgh area. Additionally, he has invested in real estate and other entrepreneurial ventures.
Mario joined the Penguins in the thick of a scandal. He and his agent had been at a standstill with the owners, unable to come to an agreement that would satisfy all parties. Mario notoriously declined to shake the general manager's hand or take a picture with the club jersey after being selected by the squad.
The Penguins were in significant financial problems when Lemieux came, so the controversy persisted. When Mario joined the squad, they were also having a very bad season and had been without a postseason victory for two years. It nearly seemed impossible for Mario's NHL debut to be real. He took the puck off Hall of Fame defenseman Ray Brouque and scored with his first NHL shot right away.
He was the first rookie to win the Most Valuable Player award at the conclusion of the season. Despite missing seven games his first season, Mario achieved 100 points, and he kept getting better over the next several years, even though the Penguins still struggled to make the playoffs. He participated in the 1987 Canada Cup with the Canadian national team, playing with legends like Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier, and Paul Coffey. Later, he said that this had been a "tremendous learning experience" that had prepared him for success in the coming years.
Mario first won the league scoring championship in the 1987–88 season after accumulating 168 points. The only player to have come close to Gretzky's average of over 200 points each season during this time was Lemieux. The Penguins qualified for the playoffs for the first time in seven years in 1988–89, when they finished the season with 199 points. In a game against the New Jersey Devils that season, Mario recorded 8 points, including 5 goals in each of the five conceivable "game situations." He is the only player to have achieved this.
In 1999, the Penguins filed for bankruptcy. Mario Lemieux was one of their largest debtors. Mario owes the Penguins $32.5 million in unpaid wages. Lemieux proposed to convert $20 million of the $32.5 million in salary he was due into ownership shares in order to save the organization from going bankrupt. Additionally, he was offered the chance to assemble a fresh group of financiers to purchase the whole business.
Mario later joined forces with wealthy investors Ron Burkle ($20 million contribution), John Surma ($2 million contribution), and others to purchase the complete team for $107 million. The franchise was worth $132 million at the time. In two decades, the team's minimum book value had increased to $600 million.
The team's value might reach $750 million. Mario's portion would be worth $187.5 million at that rate. He was the first player in NHL history to possess a controlling stake in his previous franchise. He assumed the roles of president, CEO, and chairman at first, but eventually gave up the first two roles.
Mario Lemieux received numerous awards and honors throughout his illustrious hockey career. Here are some of the notable awards he earned:
- Stanley Cup Championships- Lemieux won the Stanley Cup twice as a player with the Pittsburgh Penguins, in 1991 and 1992. He also won the Stanley Cup as an owner of the Penguins in 2009, 2016, and 2017.
- Conn Smythe Trophy- Lemieux was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the NHL playoffs in both of the Penguins' championship runs in 1991 and 1992.
- Hart Trophy- Lemieux won the Hart Trophy as the NHL's Most Valuable Player (MVP) three times in his career. He received the award in 1988, 1993, and 1996.
- Art Ross Trophy - Lemieux captured the Art Ross Trophy as the league's leading scorer six times, earning the honor in the seasons 1987-88, 1988-89, 1991-92, 1992-93, 1995-96, and 1996-97.
- Lester B. Pearson Award- Lemieux was named the recipient of the Lester B. Pearson Award, which recognizes the NHL's most outstanding player as voted by the players, twice in his career. He received the award in 1986 and 1988.
- Bill Masterton Trophy- Lemieux was honored with the Bill Masterton Trophy in 1993. The trophy is awarded annually to the player who best exemplifies perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to ice hockey.
- Olympic Gold Medal - Lemieux played a crucial role in securing the gold medal for Team Canada in the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. He scored the game-winning goal in the final against the United States.
Mario Lemieux is a Canadian ice hockey player who had a net worth of around $200 million. He is one of the best hockey players to come out of Canada. He is a legend of the National Hockey League. He is one of the few gentlemen who has won the Stanley Cup, more than two times. He is known to break rules while he’s playing.
Mario Lemieux was reportedly still attempting to sell a $22 million property in Quebec in 2018. In truth, this property is far more than a "mansion," and a better term to use would be a "castle". The house has 50 rooms, 17 fireplaces, and 17,000 square feet of living area. It also has a land footprint of 5.25 acres. There are also four garages, a spa, and a wine cellar. The building is known as "Château Fleur de Lys." - Lemieux was a highly talented player even before reaching the NHL. At the age of 16, he scored a staggering 133 goals in just 70 games with the Laval Voisins in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL).
- Lemieux earned the nickname "Le Magnifique" due to his exceptional skills and style of play. He was known for his smooth skating, extraordinary stickhandling, and incredible scoring ability.
- In 1991 and 1992, Lemieux led the Pittsburgh Penguins to back-to-back Stanley Cup championships. He played a pivotal role in both victories, earning the Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoff MVP each time.
- Lemieux won the Hart Trophy as the NHL's Most Valuable Player (MVP) a total of five times during his career. This achievement highlights his exceptional impact and dominance in the league.
- Despite dealing with injuries and health issues throughout his career, Lemieux managed to win the NHL scoring title six times. His scoring prowess was evident as he tallied an impressive 690 goals and 1,033 assists in 915 regular-season games.
- Lemieux's career was significantly interrupted by health concerns. He took a break from the game in 1993 to undergo treatment for Hodgkin's lymphoma, making a triumphant return to the ice after successfully battling the disease.
- Lemieux represented Canada in international competitions, including the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. He played a crucial role in securing the gold medal for Team Canada, scoring the game-winning goal in the final against the United States.
- Following his battle with cancer and various injuries, Lemieux made impressive comebacks to the NHL. He won the NHL Comeback Player of the Year Award in 1993 and 2001, showcasing his resilience and determination.
- In 1997, Lemieux was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. His remarkable career and contributions to the sport were recognized with this prestigious honor.
- Lemieux has achieved success off the ice as well. Besides owning the Pittsburgh Penguins, he has been involved in various business ventures, including the ownership of restaurants and investments in real estate.
Mario Lemieux won two Stanley Cups as a player with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1991 and 1992.
Lemieux's highest single-season point total in the NHL was 199 points (85 goals and 114 assists) in the 1988-1989 season.
After retiring as a player, Lemieux became the owner of the Pittsburgh Penguins and has played an active role in the team's management and operations.
Mario Lemieux faced several health issues during his career, including a battle with Hodgkin's lymphoma in 1993. He also dealt with chronic back problems that eventually led to his retirement.
Mario Lemieux won the NHL MVP (Hart Trophy) award a total of three times in his career. He won the award in 1988, 1993, and 1996.
In conclusion, Mario Lemieux is widely regarded as one of the greatest hockey players of all time. His incredible skill, scoring ability, and leadership on the ice propelled him to numerous accolades and achievements throughout his career. From winning Stanley Cups to earning MVP titles, Lemieux's impact on the sport is undeniable.
Off the ice, Lemieux has shown resilience in overcoming health challenges, including a battle with cancer. He has also made significant contributions to philanthropy through the establishment of the Mario Lemieux Foundation, which supports cancer research and patient care.
As a successful businessman, Lemieux has ventured into various ventures, including restaurant ownership and real estate investments. His ownership of the Pittsburgh Penguins has brought continued success to the team, with multiple Stanley Cup championships under his leadership.