What Are Ronald Burkle and Mario Lemieux’s Net Worth?

The Pittsburgh Penguins have enjoyed strong NHL playoff odds and three Stanley Cup championships over the past few decades, thanks in large part to former majority owners Ronald Burkle and Mario Lemieux.

The Penguins’ current owners, Geoff and Gregg Hoffmann, rank among the richest NHL owners, while Burkle and Lemieux have maintained a minority stake in the franchise.

Below, I’ll break down how much Burkle and Lemieux are worth and how they built their fortunes.

How Much Is Ronald Burkle Worth?

Burkle is worth $3.9 billion according to Forbes.

How Did Ronald Burkle Make His Money?

Burkle made most of his money as a cofounder and managing partner of The Yucaipa Companies, a private equity firm. 

Through the firm, he bought and sold several companies, including Fred Meyer, Ralphs, Jurgensen’s, and others.

What Does Ronald Burkle Own?

Burkle owns The Yucaipa Companies and Sycamore Ranch (formerly Neverland Ranch) and holds a minority ownership stake in the Pittsburgh Penguins.

How Much Is Mario Lemieux Worth?

Lemieux has a net worth of approximately $200-300 million.

How Did Mario Lemieux Make His Money?

Lemieux made approximately $54 million as an NHL player over the span of 22 years.

In 1999, he converted $30 million of owed salary into a 25% ownership stake of the Penguins, which turned into around $350 million of profit when he sold his controlling share to The Fenway Group in 2021.

What Does Mario Lemieux Own? Does He Still Own Any of the Penguins?

Despite selling controlling interest of the Penguins to The Fenway Group in 2021, Lemieux maintains a minority ownership stake in the franchise.