Zen Master of the NBA, Phil Jackson, Was Married Twice Before Getting Engaged to Jeanie Buss in 2013!
By Sarah Garza
Zen Master of the NBA, Phil Jackson, Was Married Twice Before Getting Engaged to Jeanie Buss in 2013!
Phil Jackson's Marriages and Engagement to Jeanie Buss!!
December 30, 2026
This article was last updated by Aditi Rai on December 30, 2026
Phil Jackson, legendary NBA coach, was married twice before getting engaged to Jeanie Buss, daughter of Lakers owner Jerry Buss, in 2013.
Phil Jackson, born on September 17, 1945, is a former NBA player and one of history’s most successful basketball coaches.
Jackson won two NBA championships as a player with the New York Knicks in 1970 and 1973.
He later became the head coach of the Chicago Bulls, leading them to six championships from 1989 to 1998.
Jackson then coached the Los Angeles Lakers, winning five more NBA titles from 1999 to 2011.
This brought his total coaching championships to 11, surpassing Red Auerbach‘s previous record.
He was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2007.
Jackson retired from coaching in 2011 and served as the New York Knicks team president before the team dismissed him in 2017.
Phil Jackson Was First Married to Maxine, Then to June, Before Getting Engaged to Jeanie Buss in 2013, but Their Engagement Ended in 2016!
Phil Jackson, the legendary NBA coach, married twice throughout his life.
Jackson married his first wife, Maxine, in 1967, but their relationship ended in divorce in 1972.
He had one child with Maxine, a daughter named Elizabeth.
Following his divorce from Maxine, Jackson married June in 1974. They remained together for over two decades before separating in 2000.
In his book More Than a Game, Phil revealed that his dedication to his career may have led to his divorce from his wife, June.
He wrote,
“June felt that I was unable to commit to my relationship or my family because my career was too important to me. She saw me mired in my fame and my day-to-day habits, a prisoner of my own past.”
Via:With June, he had four children: Chelsea, Charlie, Brooke, and Ben. Today, Jackson has eight grandchildren.
my birthday party gang
— Phil Jackson (@PhilJackson11)
Despite these earlier marriages, one of the most significant relationships in Jackson’s life was with Jeanie Buss, the daughter of Lakers owner Jerry Buss.
Jackson began his relationship with Jeanie in 1999 when the Los Angeles Lakers hired him to coach the team.
She was already a key executive within the organization at the time.
Over the years, their professional relationship blossomed into a personal one, and they became engaged in 2013 after being together for over 14 years.
Jackson coached the Lakers to multiple championships, while Jeanie played a key role in the team’s operations, strengthening their bond.
However, the demands of their careers and the geographic distance between them eventually strained their relationship.
, the couple announced the end of their engagement, citing the difficulty of balancing their professional lives and maintaining their relationship.
Nothing but love and respect for this man.
— Jeanie Buss (@JeanieBuss)
Jeanie later revealed that her brother Jim’s decision not to rehire Jackson as the Lakers’ coach contributed to the breakup.
Despite their separation, both Jackson and Buss have maintained mutual respect, and Buss continues to play a significant role in the Lakers‘ legacy as president.
While Jackson and Buss are no longer together, their relationship remains an important chapter in their personal and professional lives.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Jackson implemented the triangle offense and shaped his “Zen Master” approach, drawing influence from Eastern philosophy.
- Jackson has acknowledged using marijuana and LSD in the past and has expressed support for decriminalizing marijuana.
- Jackson is a fan of the Grateful Dead and attended their concerts in the 1970s and 1990s.
- Check other Articles on
Aakriti Shahi is a content writer specializing in entertainment, known for her engaging and insightful articles. With a keen eye for trends and a passion for storytelling, she crafts compelling content that resonates with audiences with both casual readers and dedicated fans. Her work often explores the latest in movies, TV shows, and celebrity news, providing readers with fresh perspectives and in-depth analysis.
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