Who Is Donald Sterling? Age, Biography, and Wiki
Born on April 26, 1934, Donald Sterling is an American businessman known for his controversial tenure as the owner of the Los Angeles Clippers in the National Basketball Association (NBA). As of 2025, Sterling is 90 years old and remains a figure often discussed for his previous business ventures and public controversies. His Wikipedia page offers an extensive overview of his life, including his rise in the real estate industry and the infamous scandal that led to his ousting from the Clippers.
| Occupation | Sports Executive |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | April 26, 1934 |
| Age | 91 Years |
| Birth Place | Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Taurus |
| Country | U.S |
Popularity
Donald Sterling's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
While specific measurements for Sterling in 2025 are not widely reported, he has been noted to stand approximately 6 feet tall. Given his advanced age, his weight and other body stats may fluctuate but are not publicly detailed.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Donald Sterling has had a complicated personal life. He was previously married to Shelly Sterling, with whom he has three children. After a long and often tumultuous marriage, they separated in the early 2010s. As of 2025, Sterling's dating status remains private, although speculation exists regarding his relationships.
In April 2014, Sterling was banned from the NBA for life and fined $2.5 million by the league after private recordings of him making racist comments were made public. NBA commissioner Adam Silver, who announced Sterling's suspension, said he would "immediately" recommend to the NBA board of governors that Sterling be forced to sell the team.
In May, Sterling's wife Shelly reached an agreement for the Sterling Family Trust to sell the Clippers for $2 billion to Steve Ballmer. Sterling contested the agreement in court, but the NBA Board of Governors approved the sale of the Clippers to Ballmer in August 2014.
Sterling settled his lawsuit against the NBA in November 2016 and remains active in Los Angeles real estate.
Net Worth and Salary
As of 2025, Donald Sterling's net worth is significantly reduced from its peak when he owned the Clippers. Estimates suggest his net worth might be around $3 billion, primarily stemming from his real estate investments and previous ownership of the NBA team. However, following the fallout from the controversies surrounding his ownership, there have been fluctuations in his net worth over the years.
In the 1960s, Sterling also purchased Lesser Towers, a pair of large apartment buildings in the Westwood area of Los Angeles, and renamed them the Sterling Towers (now the Sterling International Towers). In 1976, he leased the California Bank Building on Wilshire Boulevard in Beverly Hills and renamed it Sterling Plaza.
The Art Deco landmark was built in 1930 by MGM cofounder Louis B. Mayer. In 2000, Sports Illustrated senior writer Franz Lidz revealed that Sterling had a 99-year lease with the Mayer estate that required him to pay a relatively small annual fee and 15% of any rental income, which was why Sterling had remained the sole tenant.
"With no other tenant," Lidz reported, "the Mayer estate faces another 75 years with virtually no income from its Sterling Plaza property. By sitting and waiting, Sterling may force a fire sale." As of April 2014, he owned 162 properties in Los Angeles.
Career, Business, and Investments
Donald Sterling's career began in real estate, where he built an extensive portfolio throughout Los Angeles and Southern California. He gained notoriety as the owner of the LA Clippers starting in 1981 until he was banned from the NBA in 2014 due to racist remarks made in private conversations that were leaked to the public. Since then, he has remained out of the public eye but is believed to still manage some real estate ventures and investments.
In 1961, Sterling started his career as a divorce and personal injury attorney, building an independent practice. His biggest ventures were in real estate, which he began when he purchased a 26-unit apartment building in Beverly Hills.
Social Network
Despite his previous high-profile public appearances, Sterling's social media presence is minimal. He does not actively use platforms like Twitter or Instagram, reflecting his choice to maintain a low profile following his departure from the public spotlight.
The NBA in 1982 fined Sterling $10,000, the largest sum ever levied against an owner at the time, after he commented that he would accept the Clippers finishing in last place in order to draft an impact player like Ralph Sampson. In June 1982, Sterling attempted to move the team to Los Angeles.
This prompted an investigation of the Clippers by an NBA committee of six owners. In September, the group recommended that Sterling's ownership be terminated, having found that he was late in paying creditors and players.
Days before a league scheduled vote in October to remove Sterling, he agreed to sell the team, and the league sought buyers who would keep the franchise in San Diego.
At the suggestion of David Stern, then the league's vice president, Sterling was able to maintain his position as owner, instead handing over operations duties of the franchise to Alan Rothenberg, who became the team's president. By February 1983, Stern called the Clippers a "first-class" franchise, and the ouster of Sterling was no longer pursued.
Education
Donald Sterling attended the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where he studied law and earned his Juris Doctor degree. This educational background set the foundation for his career in law and business, ultimately leading him to invest heavily in real estate.
Sterling spent $50 million to build a state-of-the-art practice facility and team headquarters in Los Angeles' Playa Vista mixed-use development neighborhood.
This followed the lead of several other NBA franchises, including the Lakers, Sacramento Kings, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Detroit Pistons, in having their own facility dedicated exclusively for team use. The facility was completed and opened in September 2008, in time for the start of the team's training camp.
The team previously practiced at a local health club in suburban El Segundo, and before that at Los Angeles Southwest College.
