Wayne Gretzky, universally known as "The Great One," is the most decorated ice hockey player in history. Born on 26 January 1961 in Brantford, Ontario, the 65-year-old Canadian icon currently lives in South Florida. He holds over 60 NHL records, won four Stanley Cups, and his jersey number 99 was retired across the entire NHL, the only player ever honoured this way. He now works as an NHL analyst and runs a successful winery.
Source: UGC
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Key takeaway
- Wayne Gretzky was born on 26 January 1961 in Brantford, Ontario, Canada.
- He won four Stanley Cup championships, all with the Edmonton Oilers (1984, 1985, 1987, 1988).
- His number 99 is the only jersey ever retired league-wide by the NHL.
- He has been married to American actress Janet Jones since 1988, and they have five children together.
- His estimated net worth is $250 million, built through hockey, endorsements, and business ventures.
Profile summary
Full name | Wayne Douglas Gretzky |
Date of birth | 26 January 1961 |
Age | 65 (as of 2026) |
Place of birth | Brantford, Ontario, Canada |
Nationality | Canadian |
Profession | Retired NHL player; TV analyst; entrepreneur |
Relationship status | Married |
Children | Five — Paulina, Emma, Tristan, Ty, Trevor |
Parents | Walter Gretzky and Phyllis Gretzky |
Siblings | Kim, Keith, Glen, Brent |
Zodiac sign | Aquarius |
Net worth | ~$250 million (estimated; multiple sources) |
Wayne Gretzky's early life and NHL career
Wayne Douglas Gretzky is the eldest of five children born to Walter and Phyllis Gretzky. His younger siblings are Kim, Keith, Glen, and Brent. He began skating before the age of three, on the Nith River near his grandparents' farm in Canning, Ontario.
His father Walter built a backyard rink, nicknamed "Wally's Colosseum", every winter. By age six, Gretzky was already competing against much older children. According to The Canadian Encyclopedia, he scored 378 goals and 139 assists in a single youth season at age ten.
From youth hockey to the NHL
Gretzky turned professional at 17 in the World Hockey Association. He joined the NHL in 1979 with the Edmonton Oilers. Over a 20-year career, he also played for the Los Angeles Kings, St. Louis Blues, and New York Rangers before retiring in 1999.
The NHL waived its three-year waiting period and inducted him into the Hockey Hall of Fame in the same year he retired, an unprecedented honour.
Source: Original
Why is Wayne Gretzky so famous?
He is widely considered the greatest ice hockey player in history. He even earned the nickname "The Great One" for dominating the sport with unmatched intelligence, vision, and record-breaking statistics.
NHL records that still stand
Wayne Gretzky's career totals are unmatched in NHL history:
- 894 goals - the all-time record
- 1,963 assists - more than any other player's total point tally
- 2,857 points - nearly double the second-highest total
In the 1985–86 season, he set the single-season record with 215 points (52 goals and 163 assists). He also holds the NHL Playoffs records for most goals (122), assists (260), and points (382).
He won the Hart Trophy (NHL MVP) nine times, a record no one has approached.
Four Stanley Cups with the Oilers
Gretzky won four Stanley Cups, all with the Edmonton Oilers: in 1984, 1985, 1987, and 1988. He received the Conn Smythe Trophy (playoff MVP) in both 1985 and 1988.
His jersey number 99 was retired league-wide by the NHL on 6 February 2000. No player in any NHL team will ever wear 99 again.
Wayne Gretzky's family
Source: Getty Images
Gretzky married American actress Janet Jones in July 1988. The wedding was widely dubbed Canada's royal wedding. The couple have remained together for over 35 years.
Together, they have five children: Paulina, Emma, Tristan, Ty, and Trevor. Eldest daughter Paulina Gretzky is married to professional golfer Dustin Johnson. Paulina and Dustin live in Jupiter, Florida, a short distance from Wayne and Janet, and have made Gretzky a grandfather.
What does Wayne Gretzky do now?
NHL broadcasting
Gretzky currently works as an NHL analyst for Turner Sports. Ahead of the 2025–26 season, he signed a multi-year contract extension, confirming his continued role in hockey broadcasting.
Wayne Gretzky Estates Winery
Beyond television, he is closely linked with Wayne Gretzky Estates Winery & Distillery in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario. The venue has become a sought-after destination, with wine tastings regularly booked weeks in advance.
He previously served as executive director of the Canadian men's team at the 2002 Winter Olympics, where Canada won gold. He later became part-owner and head coach of the Phoenix Coyotes.
Source: Getty Images
Wayne Gretzky and Donald Trump
Gretzky drew considerable attention in 2025 for his public association with US President Donald Trump. He attended Trump's inauguration in January 2025 and was photographed at Mar-a-Lago on multiple occasions. He also wore a Make America Great Again hat at Trump's 2024 election night party.
The association drew backlash from Canadian fans. Gretzky responded in an April 2025 radio interview on an AM-640 Toronto radio show hosted by Ben Mulroney.
"But, trust me, I have no political power with the prime minister or the president."
Former NHL star P.K. Subban dismissed the criticism, telling Fox News:
"But my job isn't to listen to everyone's opinion … Wayne's paid his dues."
Gretzky and Janet currently live in South Florida, in the Jupiter/Palm Beach area, close to daughter Paulina and her family. The couple sold their waterfront home at 853 Harbour Isles Way for approximately $6.42 million in mid-2026.
Wayne Gretzky's net worth
Gretzky's net worth is estimated at approximately $250 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. His wealth comes from multiple sources:
- NHL career salary - spanning 20 seasons
- Endorsements - including global brands throughout his playing career
- Wayne Gretzky Estates Winery & Distillery - a thriving Ontario business
- Real estate - multiple high-value properties across California and Florida
- Broadcasting - his multi-year analyst deal with Turner Sports
- Team ownership - his former stake in the Phoenix Coyotes
Frequently asked questions
- Is Wayne Gretzky still alive? Yes. He is alive and continues to work as an NHL analyst for Turner Sports.
- How old is Wayne Gretzky? He is 65 years old, born on 26 January 1961 in Brantford, Ontario, Canada.
- What are Wayne Gretzky's records? The NHL legend holds over 60 NHL records, including all-time marks for career goals (894), assists (1,963), and points (2,857). He also holds the single-season points record of 215.
- How many Stanley Cups did Wayne Gretzky win? He won four Stanley Cups, all with the Edmonton Oilers — in 1984, 1985, 1987, and 1988.
- What is Wayne Gretzky's number? His number is 99, the only jersey retired league-wide across the entire NHL.
- What does Wayne Gretzky do for a living now? He is an NHL analyst for Turner Sports and runs Wayne Gretzky Estates Winery & Distillery in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario.
- How is Wayne Gretzky related to Donald Trump? They are friends and occasional golf partners. Gretzky attended Trump's 2025 inauguration and has been photographed with him at Mar-a-Lago. He has stated he holds no political influence over either leader.
- Why is Wayne Gretzky so famous? He is the most prolific scorer in NHL history, with over 60 records, four Stanley Cups, and nine Hart Trophies. His number 99 is the only jersey retired league-wide in the NHL.
Wayne Gretzky resides in Florida, United States, close to his children and grandchildren. He built his wealth during his career, enabling him to purchase luxurious properties and enjoy an extravagant lifestyle.
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