Jerry Buss

Jerry Buss
Born
Gerald Hatten Buss

(1933-01-27)January 27, 1933
DiedFebruary 18, 2013(2013-02-18) (aged 80)
Resting placeForest Lawn Memorial Park, Los Angeles, California
Alma materUniversity of Wyoming (BS)
University of Southern California (MS, PhD)
Occupations
  • Businessman
  • investor
  • chemist
  • poker player
  • philanthropist
Known forOwner of the Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Sparks
Spouse
JoAnn Mueller
(m. 1952; div. 1972)
Partner(s)Veronica Hoff (1972–1980)
Karen Demel
Children7, including
Awards

Gerald Hatten "Jerry" Buss (January 27, 1933 – February 18, 2013) was an American businessman, investor, chemist, and philanthropist. He was the majority owner of the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA), winning 10 league championships that were highlighted by the team's Showtime era during the 1980s. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as a contributor. Buss owned other professional sports franchises in Southern California.