Wayne Gretzky’s 2024 Fortune: Net Worth and Real Estate Holdings
Wayne Gretzky, known as “The Great One,” is arguably the greatest ice hockey player ever. His incredible skills, records, and impact on the sport have made him a legend. Let’s explore his life and career.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Wayne Douglas Gretzky |
| Date of Birth | January 26, 1961 |
| Age (2024) | 63 |
| Place of Birth | Brantford, Ontario, Canada |
| Nickname | The Great One |
| Nationality | Canadian |
Who is Wayne Gretzky?
Wayne Douglas Gretzky was born on January 26, 1961, in Brantford, Ontario, Canada. From a young age, he showed an incredible talent for hockey.
Gretzky’s dad, Walter, built a “Wally Coliseum” backyard rink where young Wayne honed his skills. By age 6, he was playing with 10-year-olds, and at 10, he scored an impressive 378 goals in one season!
Gretzky’s talent was so incredible that he often faced jealousy and negative attention. But this didn’t stop him. He kept improving, setting the stage for his legendary career.
Family and Personal Life
Wayne met his wife, actress Janet Jones while judging a TV show called “Dance Fever.” They got married on July 16, 1988, in a big ceremony that people called “The Royal Wedding.” The Gretzkys have five kids: Paulina, Ty, Trevor, Tristan, and Emma.
Paulina, their oldest, is married to pro golfer Dustin Johnson. Ty played hockey but later quit and went to college. Trevor played minor league baseball.
Wayne’s family has always been a big part of his life, supporting him throughout his career. Sadly, Wayne’s dad, Walter, who was so crucial in his hockey journey, passed away in 2021 at the age of 82.
Professional Career: The NHL Years
Gretzky’s pro career started in 1978 when he joined the Indianapolis Racers in the World Hockey Association. He was soon traded to the Edmonton Oilers. When the WHA folded in 1979, the Oilers joined the NHL, and Gretzky’s legendary NHL career began.
With the Oilers, Gretzky led the team to four Stanley Cup championships. He set tons of records, including most career goals (894), assists (1,963), and points (2,857). He was the only player to score over 200 points in a season – and he did it four times!
In 1988, Gretzky was traded to the Los Angeles Kings in a move that shocked Canada. He helped make hockey popular in California and led the Kings to the 1993 Stanley Cup Finals. After short stints with the St. Louis Blues and New York Rangers, Gretzky retired in 1999.
During his career, Gretzky won nine Hart Trophies as NHL MVP, ten Art Ross Trophies for most points, and five Lady Byng Trophies for sportsmanship. His number 99 was retired league-wide, a unique honor in NHL history.
Age and Physique
Gretzky played in the NHL from age 18 to 38. He wasn’t the biggest or strongest player – he was 6 feet tall and weighed about 185 pounds. But what he lacked in size, he made up for with incredible speed, skill, and hockey smarts.
People often say Gretzky could “slow down time” on the ice. He had a fantastic ability to read the game and know where the puck and other players would be, making it almost impossible for him to stop, even for much bigger players.
Net Worth and Salary
As of 2024, Wayne Gretzky’s net worth is around $250 million. During his NHL career, he earned about $46 million in salary and made another $50 million from endorsements.
After retiring, Gretzky has grown his wealth through smart investments and business ventures. His diverse portfolio includes sports team ownership, a winery, and real estate investments.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Estimated Net Worth | $250 million |
| Career Earnings (Salary) | $46 million |
| Endorsements Earnings | $50 million |
Business Ventures and Investments
Gretzky has been a savvy businessman since his playing days. He’s owned several sports teams, including the Hull Olympiques junior hockey team and a stake in the Toronto Argonauts football team.
In 2017, Gretzky opened Wayne Gretzky Estates, a winery and distillery in Ontario. He’s also had restaurants in various locations. Gretzky has invested in sports equipment companies and even partnered to buy a rare, valuable baseball card.
Gretzky’s also dipped his toes into modern investments. There are rumors he’s invested about $10 million in cryptocurrencies and $5 million in NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens).
Real Estate Investments
Real estate is a big part of Gretzky’s investment portfolio. He owns several luxurious properties in the U.S. and Canada worth an estimated $50 million. These include a custom-built mansion in California and a summer home in Idaho.
In 2007, Wayne and Janet built a beautiful 10,815-square-foot home in the exclusive Sherwood Country Club community in Thousand Oaks, California. This property has an interesting history—they sold it, bought it back years later, and then put it up for sale again in 2020 for $22.9 million.
Contact and Social Media
While Gretzky keeps his personal life private, fans can follow his public activities through various channels. He’s active on social media, with official accounts on Twitter and Instagram. These accounts share updates about his current projects, hockey insights, and occasional glimpses into his personal life.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| @OfficialGretzky | |
| @OfficialGretzky | |
| Business Inquiries | Through management or Wayne Gretzky Estates |
For business inquiries, Gretzky can be reached through his management team or the various companies he’s involved with, such as Wayne Gretzky Estates.
Legacy and Impact
Wayne Gretzky’s impact on hockey is immeasurable. He changed how the game is played, making it more about teamwork and strategy. His records seem unbreakable, and his style of play inspired countless young players.
But Gretzky’s influence goes beyond the ice. He helped grow the sport’s popularity, especially in the United States. His business success shows how athletes can build successful careers after retiring from sports.
Wayne Gretzky truly lives up to his nickname, “The Great One.” His journey from a kid playing on a backyard rink to a global sports icon is an inspiring story of talent, hard work, and love for the game.
Even years after retiring, Gretzky continues to shape the hockey world and inspire new generations of players and fans.