Nathalie Asselin is a Canadian-born charity executive best known for her philanthropic work and for being the wife of Hockey Hall of Fame member Mario Lemieux.
Nathalie Asselin was born in Canada; however, she has remained private about her early life, including details concerning her family background and education history.
After their son Austin was born prematurely and faced severe health complications, Nathalie Asselin and her husband Mario Lemieux established Austin's Playroom Project. This initiative aims to create playrooms in medical facilities to support young patients and their families. Nathalie currently serves as chairperson of the project, playing an important role in its growth and outreach.
In addition to her work with Austin’s Playroom, Asselin serves as Vice President of the Mario Lemieux Foundation. The foundation primarily focuses on cancer research, neonatal intensive care, and patient support. Mario Lemieux, the organization's founder and namesake, is an active participant, dedicating considerable time to fundraising efforts and strategic initiatives.
To support these goals, Nathalie has hosted the Nathalie Lemieux Ladies Open, previously known as "Chicks with Sticks." The event raises funds to further the mission of Austin’s Playroom and other Lemieux Foundation projects.
Nathalie Asselin has been married to legendary NHL player Mario Lemieux since June 26, 1993. The couple met in the early 1990s and have remained committed partners both personally and professionally, especially through their joint philanthropic endeavors.
The Lemieuxs are the proud parents of four children. Their eldest daughter, Lauren, was born in April 1993. Their second child, Stephanie, followed in 1995. Their only son, Austin, was born in 1996 and spent 71 days in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) due to complications from premature birth. Their youngest daughter, Alexa, was born in 1997.
The year 1993 was especially challenging for the family. While Nathalie was pregnant with their first child, Mario was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The diagnosis came in the midst of the NHL season, adding immense personal and professional pressure. Despite the emotional toll of cancer treatment, preparing for fatherhood, and upcoming nuptials, Mario—supported by Nathalie—showed remarkable resilience. With her unwavering support, he recovered and has remained cancer-free in the decades since.
