When Did Jerry Buss Die and What Was the Cause
Jerry Buss died on February 18, 2013, at the age of 80. The official cause of death was kidney failure, with complications from cancer cited in public records and reports from trusted outlets like the Los Angeles Times and the Associated Press. He passed away at his home in Los Angeles, California, surrounded by family, after a period of declining health that had limited his public appearances in the final years of his life. His death marked the end of an era for the Los Angeles Lakers and for the broader business empire he built around sports, real estate, and entertainment.
Buss had been hospitalized in the weeks before his death, and his condition was widely reported by major news organizations. The Los Angeles Lakers organization confirmed his passing in a brief statement, noting his central role as the controlling owner of the team. His death triggered immediate coverage of his estate, business interests, and the future leadership of the Lakers, with his six children expected to inherit his controlling stake in the franchise and other assets.
Jerry Buss Net Worth and Business Empire at the Time of His Death
At the time of his death, Jerry Buss's net worth was estimated at around $3.5 billion to $4 billion, according to Forbes and other real-time wealth trackers. His fortune was built on a combination of real estate investments, the ownership of the Los Angeles Lakers, and stakes in other sports franchises, including the Los Angeles Kings and the Los Angeles Sparks. Buss was also a major investor in the entertainment and hospitality sectors, with properties and businesses that spanned Southern California and beyond.
The Buss family trust became the primary vehicle for managing his wealth and sports holdings after his death. The trust controls the majority of the Los Angeles Lakers' equity, making the family one of the most influential ownership groups in the NBA. The trust structure was designed to keep the franchise within the family for generations, and it continues to shape the Lakers' operations, executive decisions, and long-term strategy in the league.
Legacy and Immediate Impact of Jerry Buss's Death on the Lakers and Sports Business
Jerry Buss's death in 2013 left a significant leadership vacuum at the Los Angeles Lakers, a franchise he had transformed into one of the most valuable and recognizable brands in global sports. His vision of combining basketball, entertainment, and business acumen set a template for modern sports ownership, and his influence can still be seen in the Lakers' business operations, branding, and community engagement efforts. The team continued to operate under the family trust, with his children taking on key roles in management and governance.
The immediate financial impact of Buss's death included updates to the franchise's valuation and a renewed focus on the long-term sustainability of the Lakers' business model. The team's worth continued to climb in the years following his passing, driven by media deals, sponsorships, and the global popularity of the Lakers brand. For investors and sports business analysts, the Buss family's stewardship of the Lakers remains a case study in how a family-owned sports franchise can maintain competitiveness and financial growth across decades.