Donald Sterling, born Donald Tokowitz on April 26, 1934, in Chicago, Illinois, is an American businessman known primarily for his real estate ventures and former ownership of an NBA team. His family moved to Los Angeles during his childhood, where he attended Theodore Roosevelt High School. While there, Sterling served as class president and graduated in 1952.
He continued his education at California State University, Los Angeles, earning his degree before enrolling in the Southwestern University School of Law. Sterling graduated with a law degree in 1960 and began his career as a personal injury attorney.
In addition to practicing law, Sterling built a substantial career in real estate. His first major investment was a 26-unit apartment complex in Beverly Hills. During the 1960s, he expanded his portfolio by acquiring several properties, including the iconic Lesser Towers, a pair of large apartment buildings located in Westwood, Los Angeles.
Over the next several decades, Sterling's real estate holdings continued to grow, eventually encompassing 162 residential and commercial properties throughout the Los Angeles area by 2014. His status as a real estate mogul established him among the most prominent property owners in Southern California.
In 1981, Donald Sterling purchased the Los Angeles Clippers, a then-struggling franchise in the National Basketball Association, for $12.5 million. Under his ownership, the team experienced limited success on the court for many years, though it later reached greater competitive heights during the early 2010s.
Sterling remained an active and controversial figure in the NBA throughout his tenure as an owner. His management style and team oversight often drew criticism, but he maintained ownership of the Clippers for over three decades.
In 2014, Sterling became the subject of widespread national controversy when a private audio recording surfaced in which he made racist remarks. The incident led to an immediate and strongly worded response from the National Basketball Association. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver banned him for life and imposed a $2.5 million fine, the maximum allowed under league rules at the time.
Following the league’s actions, the Sterling Family Trust facilitated the sale of the Los Angeles Clippers. The team was sold to former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer for a record $2 billion, marking the end of Sterling’s involvement with the franchise.
| Birth Date: | 26 Apr, 1934 |
| Age: | 86 yrs |
| Occupations: | Lawyer Businessperson |
| Citizenship: | United States of America |
| Birth Place: | Chicago |
| Education: | California State University, Los Angeles Southwestern Law School |
| Gender: | Male |
| Description: | American business magnate and former attorney |
| Net Worth 2021: | 3.8 billion |
