Mario Lemieux Net Worth

Mario Lemieux net worth – What is the net worth of Mario Lemieux? Mario Lemieux is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player and team owner who has a net worth of $300 million. Nicknamed “Le Magnifique” (The Magnificent One) and “Super Mario,” Lemieux is widely acknowledged as one of the most naturally gifted players to ever play the game. He played his entire NHL career with the Pittsburgh Penguins, leading them to two Stanley Cups as a player and three more as an owner. He is the only person in NHL history to have his name on the Cup as both a player and an owner. In 2021, he sold a majority stake in the Penguins to Fenway Sports Group, a deal that significantly increased his personal wealth.

What is Mario Lemieux’s Net Worth?

As of 2026, Mario Lemieux has an estimated net worth of US $300 million. While he earned approximately $58.5 million in salary during his playing days, the bulk of his fortune comes from his savvy business acumen—specifically, his ownership of the Pittsburgh Penguins.

In 1999, with the Penguins facing bankruptcy and owing him millions in deferred salary, Lemieux converted $20 million of that debt into equity, becoming the majority owner. This gamble paid off spectacularly. Under his stewardship, the team’s value skyrocketed. In December 2021, he and co-owner Ron Burkle sold the team to Fenway Sports Group (FSG) for approximately $900 million. Lemieux retained a minority stake and remains the chairman, but the sale reportedly netted him over $350 million (pre-tax).

Net Worth Comparison with Hockey Legends

Player Estimated Net Worth
Mario Lemieux $300 Million
Wayne Gretzky $250 Million
Sidney Crosby $80 Million
Alexander Ovechkin $80 Million
Jaromír Jágr $50 Million
Connor McDavid $50 Million

Mario Lemieux Net Worth Growth Timeline

Year Net Worth
2000 $40.0 Million
2010 $100.0 Million
2020 $150.0 Million
2022 $250.0 Million
2026 $300.0 Million

Who is Mario Lemieux?

Mario Lemieux was born on October 5, 1965, in Montreal, Quebec. He is a hockey icon who overcame severe health battles, including Hodgkin’s lymphoma and chronic back issues, to dominate the NHL. Standing 6 feet 4 inches with a rare combination of size, reach, and soft hands, he averaged 1.883 points per game for his career—second only to Wayne Gretzky. He is currently the chairman and minority owner of the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Mario Lemieux Biography

Field Details
Full Name Mario Lemieux
Nickname Le Magnifique, Super Mario
Date of Birth October 5, 1965
Age 60 years
Birthplace Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Nationality Canadian
Profession Former NHL Player, Team Owner
Draft 1984 / Round: 1 / Pick: 1st Overall
Teams Pittsburgh Penguins
Net Worth $300 million
Source of Wealth NHL Salary, Team Ownership (Penguins)
Marital Status Married
Spouse Nathalie Asselin (m. 1993)
Children Lauren, Stephanie, Austin, Alexa

Early Life and Education

Mario Lemieux grew up in the Ville-Émard district of Montreal. His father, Jean-Guy, was a construction worker, and his mother, Pierrette, was a stay-at-home mom. He began playing hockey at age three in his basement, using a wooden spoon as a stick and a bottle cap as a puck. His father famously packed snow onto the living room carpet so Mario and his brothers could practice skating indoors before dark.

He became a junior hockey sensation with the Laval Voisins in the QMJHL. In his final junior season (1983–84), he shattered records by scoring 133 goals and 282 points in just 70 games. He was drafted first overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 1984 NHL Entry Draft, famously refusing to put on the jersey at the podium due to a contract dispute.

Career

Playing Career

Lemieux’s impact was immediate; he scored on his very first shift in the NHL. He won the Calder Trophy (Rookie of the Year) in 1985. In the 1988-89 season, he scored 85 goals and 199 points, widely considered one of the greatest individual seasons in history.

He led the Penguins to back-to-back Stanley Cup victories in 1991 and 1992, winning the Conn Smythe Trophy (Playoff MVP) both times. In 1993, at the peak of his powers, he was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma. After undergoing aggressive radiation therapy, he returned to the ice on the day of his last treatment and incredibly still won the Art Ross Trophy (scoring title) that season.

He retired in 1997 due to health issues and was immediately inducted into the Hall of Fame. However, he made a shocking return to the ice in 2000, playing as a player-owner for five more seasons before retiring permanently in 2006.

Ownership

In 1999, Lemieux assembled an ownership group to buy the Penguins out of bankruptcy. He is credited with saving the franchise and keeping it in Pittsburgh. As an owner, he oversaw the drafting of Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, leading to three more Stanley Cups (2009, 2016, 2017).

Personal Life

Mario Lemieux married his college sweetheart, Nathalie Asselin, in June 1993. They have four children: Lauren, Stephanie, Austin, and Alexa. The family resides in the affluent suburb of Sewickley, Pennsylvania, and they also own a home in Mont-Tremblant, Quebec.

Following his battle with cancer, he established the Mario Lemieux Foundation in 1993. The foundation funds cancer research and patient care. One of its initiatives, Austin’s Playroom Project, builds playrooms in hospitals for children and families, inspired by the time Lemieux’s premature son Austin spent in the NICU.

Favorite Things

Category Favorite
Drink Red Wine (French & Italian)
Food Shepherd’s Pie
Hobby Golf
Golf Course Oakmont Country Club
Vacation Spot Mont-Tremblant
Teammate Kevin Stevens

50 Unknown Facts about Mario Lemieux

  1. He scored a goal on his very first shot in his first NHL shift (against Pete Peeters of Boston).

  2. He is the only player to score 5 goals in 5 different ways in a single game (even-strength, power-play, shorthanded, penalty shot, empty net).

  3. He smoked half a pack of cigarettes a day early in his career (and quit after his cancer diagnosis).

  4. He refused to don the Penguins jersey when drafted because negotiations had stalled.

  5. He lived with Sidney Crosby for several years when Crosby first entered the league.

  6. He won the Olympic Gold Medal in 2002 as the captain of Team Canada.

  7. He has a street named after him in Montreal (Rue Mario Lemieux).

  8. He once received a standing ovation from rival Philadelphia Flyers fans upon his return from cancer treatment.

  9. He is the only person to win the Stanley Cup as both a player and an owner.

  10. He saved the Penguins from bankruptcy by converting $20 million of deferred salary into equity.

  11. He holds the record for most shorthanded goals in a season (13).

  12. He participated in the Canada Cup in 1987, scoring the winning goal on a pass from Wayne Gretzky.

  13. He has 4 children, including a son named Austin who played college hockey for Arizona State.

  14. He is a member of the Order of Canada.

  15. He never played for a team other than the Pittsburgh Penguins.

  16. He had to have his skates tied by trainers because his back was too stiff to bend over.

  17. He scored 199 points in the 1988-89 season, the highest total by anyone not named Gretzky.

  18. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame immediately after his first retirement (waiving the 3-year wait).

  19. He wears size 11 skates.

  20. He has a statue outside PPG Paints Arena called “Le Magnifique.”

  21. He once scored 69 goals in 70 games in junior hockey… and then scored 133 the next year.

  22. He is an avid wine collector with a cellar containing thousands of bottles.

  23. He is a scratch golfer and hosts the annual Mario Lemieux Celebrity Golf Invitational.

  24. He played in the NHL All-Star Game in his final season (2006) at age 40.

  25. He was born on the same day as Patrick Roy (October 5, 1965).

  26. He originally wore number 27 in juniors but switched to 66 (an inverted 99) at his agent’s suggestion to challenge Gretzky.

  27. He won the Lester B. Pearson Award (MVP voted by players) 4 times.

  28. He missed the entire 1994-95 season due to back surgery.

  29. He is the owner of the dedicated playrooms in several Pittsburgh hospitals.

  30. He was teammates with Jaromír Jágr, forming one of the deadliest duos in history.

  31. He has dual citizenship (Canadian and American).

  32. He once paid for the hospital bills of a Penguins employee who had fallen ill.

  33. He is known for rarely giving interviews and maintaining a private life.

  34. He scored 4 goals in his first game back from retirement in 2000.

  35. He was the 7th player to score 600 career goals.

  36. He has a net worth higher than Wayne Gretzky due to his ownership stake.

  37. He has faced Wayne Gretzky in the playoffs only once (1993, Penguins lost to Islanders, so they never met in the final).

  38. He purchased the Penguins for roughly $107 million in 1999.

  39. He sold the team for roughly $900 million in 2021.

  40. He has a charity golf video game named after him.

  41. He scored his 500th goal in his 605th game.

  42. He was the first rookie to be named the MVP of the All-Star Game.

  43. He has won 6 Art Ross Trophies.

  44. He had a 46-game point streak in 1989-90 (second longest in history).

  45. He once banked a puck off a defenseman’s back into the net intentionally.

  46. He is a Knight of the National Order of Quebec.

  47. He played with a herniated disc for much of his prime.

  48. He has a wine label partnership.

  49. He is considered the “Savior of Pittsburgh Hockey” twice (once as a player, once as an owner).

  50. He remains the chairman of the Penguins even after the FSG sale.

Frequently Asked Questions

How old is Mario Lemieux?

Mario Lemieux is 60 years old (as of early 2026).

Does Mario Lemieux still own the Penguins?

He is a minority owner. In 2021, he sold the controlling interest to Fenway Sports Group but retained a small stake and remains the Chairman of the Board.

What was Mario Lemieux’s illness?

He was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma (a form of cancer) in 1993. He successfully underwent radiation treatment and returned to play.

Who is Mario Lemieux’s wife?

He has been married to Nathalie Asselin since 1993.

How much did Mario Lemieux sell the Penguins for?

The team was sold to Fenway Sports Group for approximately $900 million. Lemieux personally made an estimated $350 million from the sale.

Why did Mario Lemieux wear number 66?

His agent suggested it as an inversion of Wayne Gretzky’s 99, symbolizing that Lemieux was the only one capable of challenging Gretzky’s dominance.

How many Stanley Cups does Mario Lemieux have?

He has five Stanley Cups in total: two as a player (1991, 1992) and three as a team owner (2009, 2016, 2017).

Is Mario Lemieux American or Canadian?

He was born in Canada (Montreal) but became a naturalized US citizen later in life. He holds dual citizenship.

What is Mario Lemieux doing now?

He is enjoying semi-retirement, focusing on his foundation, playing golf, and serving as the Chairman of the Pittsburgh Penguins.

How many points did Mario Lemieux have?

He finished his career with 1,723 points (690 goals, 1,033 assists) in just 915 regular-season games.

Check Net Worth of More Celebrities