Donald Sterling

$4.37 B

Ranked #943 in World

About Donald Sterling

In a landmark controversy, Donald Sterling, former NBA team owner, faced a lifetime ban and a $2.5 million fine for leaked racist comments in 2014, prompting his wife Shelly Sterling to sell the Los Angeles Clippers to Steve Ballmer for a historic $2 billion. Despite Donald's legal resistance, the NBA sanctioned the sale in August 2014, with Sterling settling in 2016. Renowned for his legal and real estate career, Sterling's controversial tenure as Clippers owner was marked by accusations of discriminatory practices and frugality. His personal life, marred by scandal and tragedy, included a long marriage to Shelly, an extramarital relationship, and health issues like prostate cancer and Alzheimer's.

Born

April 26, 1934 in Chicago, Illinois, U.S.

Age

91 years

Source Of Wealth

Real Estate

Industries

Real Estate

Citizenship

United States

Residence

Beverly Hills, California

Education

Bachelor of Arts/Science, California State Los Angeles; Doctor of Jurisprudence, Southwestern Law School

Spouse

Shelly Sterling (Married: 1955)

Children

Donald Sterling, born Donald Samuel Tokowitz on April 26, 1934, in Chicago, Illinois, had a humble beginning. At the tender age of two, his family relocated to Los Angeles, California, where he would spend his formative years. Sterling attended Theodore Roosevelt High School and later pursued higher education at California State University, Los Angeles. His academic journey culminated in a law degree from Southwestern University School of Law in 1960, setting the stage for his future career.

Donald Sterling: Family

Donald Sterling's personal life revolved around his family. He married Rochelle ("Shelly") Stein in 1955, and their union produced three children: Scott, Chris, and Joanna. Despite the challenges that would later emerge in their relationship, Sterling and Shelly remained committed to their family throughout the years.

Donald Sterling: Career Highlights

Sterling's professional journey took a significant turn when he ventured into the world of sports ownership. In 1981, he acquired the San Diego Clippers, a struggling basketball franchise, for a mere $12.5 million. Despite initial opposition from the NBA, Sterling's determination led him to relocate the team to Los Angeles in 1984, where they became known as the Los Angeles Clippers.

Donald Sterling: Companies

Beyond his involvement in sports, Sterling built a successful real estate empire. His portfolio included notable properties such as the Sterling Towers and Sterling Plaza, demonstrating his acumen in the business world.

Donald Sterling: Major Achievements

Sterling's most notable achievement lies in his ownership of the Los Angeles Clippers, a team he managed for over three decades. Despite facing numerous challenges and controversies, Sterling's persistence and dedication to the sport left a lasting impact on the NBA.

Donald Sterling: Awards & Achievements

While Sterling's career was marked by controversies, he did receive recognition for his contributions to the legal field. In 1998, he was honored with the "Trial Lawyer of the Year" award by the Los Angeles Trial Lawyers Association.

Donald Sterling: Personal Life & Legacy

Sterling's personal life was not without its share of complexities.

His extramarital relationship with Alexandra Castro became public knowledge, leading to a confidential settlement out of court in 2004. In 2012, he filed for divorce from Shelly, but the couple later reconciled and decided against proceeding with the divorce. Sterling's health also became a concern as he battled prostate cancer and was diagnosed with early-stage Alzheimer's disease in 2014.

Donald Sterling: Trivia

Here are some interesting facts about Donald Sterling:

Sterling's original surname, Tokowitz, was changed to Sterling in 1956.
He was known for his frugal approach to team management, often drawing criticism for his unwillingness to invest heavily in the Clippers.
Sterling's ownership of the Clippers was marked by frequent lawsuits and controversies, including allegations of discrimination and sexual harassment.
Despite the controversies, Sterling remained a prominent figure in the NBA until his lifetime ban in 2014.

Wealth History

Timeline

April 26, 1934

Donald Sterling is born as Donald Samuel Tokowitz in Chicago.

1936

Sterling's family moves to Los Angeles.

1960

Sterling graduates from Southwestern University School of Law.

1981

Sterling purchases the San Diego Clippers for $12.5 million.

1984

Sterling moves the Clippers to Los Angeles despite NBA opposition.

April 2014

Recording of Sterling making racist comments is leaked, leading to widespread outrage.

April 29, 2014

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver announces that Sterling has been banned from the NBA for life and fined $2.5 million.

May 2014

Sterling is diagnosed with early-stage Alzheimer's disease.

June 2014

Sterling's wife, Shelly Sterling, reaches an agreement to sell the Clippers to Steve Ballmer for $2 billion.

August 2014

NBA Board of Governors approves the sale of the Clippers to Ballmer.

November 2016

Sterling settles his lawsuit against the NBA, ending his legal challenges to the sale of the Clippers.

Donald Sterling : FAQs

What is Donald Sterling's current net worth?

Donald Sterling's current net worth is $4.37 billion.

What is Donald Sterling's current global rank among billionaires?

Donald Sterling holds the 943rd position globally among billionaires.

What is Donald Sterling's current ranking within the United States?

Donald Sterling holds the 352nd position in United States.

What was the change in Donald Sterling's net worth compared to the previous year?

Donald Sterling's net worth decreased by 0 million dollars compared to the previous year 2025, when his net worth was 4.37 billion dollars.

What are Donald Sterling's main sources of wealth?

Donald Sterling's main source of income comes from Real Estate.

In which industry does Donald Sterling primarily operate?

Donald Sterling is primarily involved in the Real Estate industry.

What is Donald Sterling educational background?

Donald Sterling holds a Bachelor of Arts/Science from California State Los Angeles and a Doctor of Jurisprudence from Southwestern Law School.

How old is Donald Sterling?

Donald Sterling is 91 years old.

How many children does Donald Sterling have?

Donald Sterling has 3 children.

Who is Donald Sterling and what is his background?

Donald Sterling, born Donald Samuel Tokowitz on April 26, 1934, is an American attorney and businessman. He owned the San Diego/Los Angeles Clippers from 1981 to 2014. Sterling graduated from Southwestern University School of Law in 1960 and built a successful career in both law and real estate, acquiring properties like the Sterling Towers and Sterling Plaza.

What led to Donald Sterling being banned from the NBA?

Donald Sterling was banned from the NBA for life in April 2014 after a recording of him making racist comments was leaked. He was fined $2.5 million, stripped of authority over the Clippers, and banned from attending NBA games.

How did the sale of the Los Angeles Clippers proceed after Sterling's ban?

After Donald Sterling's ban, his wife Shelly Sterling arranged the sale of the Los Angeles Clippers to Steve Ballmer for $2 billion. Donald contested the sale and sued the NBA, but the NBA Board of Governors approved the sale to Ballmer in August 2014, and Sterling settled his lawsuit in November 2016.

What legal issues and controversies has Donald Sterling faced during his NBA ownership?

During his NBA ownership, Donald Sterling was fined for various offenses, including unsavory comments about drafting players and was notorious for frugality and disputes with former coaches and players. He also faced lawsuits for housing discrimination, settling with the U.S. Department of Justice for $2.7 million, and sexual harassment, where cases were settled confidentially.

Can you detail some key personal life events and health issues of Donald Sterling?

Donald Sterling was married to Shelly Sterling with whom he had three children. He had an extramarital relationship with Alexandra Castro and became estranged from Shelly in 2012. His son Scott died from a drug overdose in 2012. Sterling filed for divorce in 2015 but reconciled with Shelly later. He has been treated for prostate cancer since 2012 and was diagnosed with early-stage Alzheimer's disease in 2014, which led to being declared mentally unfit to manage his trust's affairs.