Mario Lemieux (born October 5, 1965) is a Canadian former NHL player and longtime Pittsburgh Penguins icon. Nicknamed “Super Mario”, he was drafted first overall in 1984, winning two Stanley Cups as a player (1991, 1992) and three more as owner (2009, 2016, 2017).
Despite battling serious health issues, he scored 690 goals, 1,033 assists, and won multiple MVP awards. Inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1997, Lemieux is widely considered one of the greatest hockey players ever and remains a part-owner and chairman of the Penguins.
RELATED: Paragraphs to Make Your Girlfriend Cry: Emotional Writing Tips
Table of Contents
Mario Lemieux Net Worth
Mario Lemieux has a net worth of $300 million. Known as “Le Magnifique” and “Super Mario,” he is one of the greatest hockey players ever. Over his 17-season career, he won the Stanley Cup twice. In 1999, he became the team owner and won the Cup three more times after retiring.
Despite battling serious health issues like a herniated disc and Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, Lemieux broke many records, with experts believing he could have achieved even more on the ice.
Early life
Mario Lemieux (born October 5, 1965) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He played 17 seasons in the NHL with the Pittsburgh Penguins (1984–2005) and became owner in 1999. Nicknamed “Super Mario”, “Le Magnifique”, and “The Magnificent One”, Lemieux is considered one of the greatest NHL players ever.
Renowned for his size, strength, athleticism, and creativity, he transformed the Penguins franchise and left a lasting impact on hockey history through his extraordinary on-ice performance and leadership.
Career
At career start, Mario Lemieux joined a struggling Pittsburgh Penguins team, plagued by financial trouble and low attendance. He debuted October 11, 1984, scoring on his first NHL shot against Pete Peeters after stealing the puck from Ray Bourque. He was named All-Star MVP and won the Calder Trophy despite missing games.
In 1985–86, he scored 141 points, second to Wayne Gretzky, and won the Lester B. Pearson Award. At the 1987 Canada Cup, Lemieux scored 11 goals, including the tournament-winner assisted by Gretzky, boosting his career momentum.
Personal life
Mario Lemieux married Nathalie Asselin on June 26, 1993. They have four children: Lauren, Stephanie, Austin Nicholas, and Alexa. Austin, born prematurely in 1996, later played hockey at Arizona State University. The family resides in Sewickley, near Pittsburgh, with a second home, Chateau Fleur de Lys, near Mont-Tremblant, listed for sale in 2018.
Lemieux hosted Sidney Crosby, Marc-André Fleury, and Jaromír Jágr during early Penguins careers. He is a naturalized American, a registered Republican, but supported Hillary Clinton and Rick Santorum in past political campaigns.
Why did Mario Lemieux retire so early?
The cancer fight was only part of it. Mario Lemieux‘s career was also riddled with chronic back issues that caused intense pain and limited his ability to train, play, and recover. He missed entire seasons, including all of 1994–95 and then a long stretch from 1997 to 2000, when he retired for the first time.
Conclusion
Mario Lemieux’s story is one of unparalleled success in sports and astute financial management. His journey from a hockey prodigy to a multi-millionaire team owner is an inspiring tale of talent, perseverance, and strategic thinking.
RELATED: Karen Nyamu: The Political Landscape’s Rising Star
FAQs about Mario Lemieux’s Net Worth
- What are some of Mario Lemieux’s most notable achievements in hockey? Lemieux is a two-time Stanley Cup champion as a player and a three-time champion as an owner.
- How did Mario Lemieux save the Pittsburgh Penguins from bankruptcy? He converted $20 million of his deferred salary into ownership equity.
- Has Mario Lemieux won any individual awards in the NHL? Yes, he has won numerous awards, including the Hart Memorial Trophy and the Art Ross Trophy.
- What business ventures has Mario Lemieux pursued apart from hockey? His main business venture has been his ownership and management role with the Pittsburgh Penguins.
- What makes Mario Lemieux’s playing career so remarkable? His ability to overcome significant health challenges and still perform at an elite level sets his career apart.
