John Wooden Biography: Age, Net Worth, Children, Wife, Height, Nationality, Death

John Robert Wooden, known as “the Wizard of Westwood,” was an American basketball coach and player.

He led the UCLA Bruins to 10 NCAA championships in 12 years, including seven consecutive titles. His teams also achieved an NCAA record of 88 straight wins.

Wooden earned the Henry Iba Award as National Coach of the Year seven times and the Associated Press award five times.

Profile

• Full Name: John Robert Wooden
• Stage Name: John Wooden
• Born: October 14, 1910
• Death date: June 4, 2010
• Age: 99 years old
• Birthplace: Hall, Indiana, U.S.
• Nationality: American
• Occupation: American basketball coach and player
• Height: 1.78 m
• Parent: Roxie Wooden ,Joshua Wooden
• Siblings: Maurice Wooden, Daniel Wooden, William Wooden, Harriet Cordelia Wooden
• Spouse: Nellie Riley (m. 1932–1985)
• Children: James Hugh Wooden ,Nancy Anne Muehlhausen.
• Relationship: Widow
• Net Worth: $2 million

Early Life And Education

John Robert Wooden was born on October 14, 1910, in Hall, Indiana, to Roxie (1887–1959) and Joshua Wooden (1882–1950). In 1918, his family moved to a farm in Centerton.

He had three brothers—Maurice, Daniel, and William—and two sisters, one who died in infancy and another, Harriet Cordelia, who passed away at age two from diphtheria.

Wooden graduated from Purdue University in 1932 with a degree in English, where he was a three-time All-American basketball player and team captain.

After serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II, he earned a master’s degree at Indiana State Teachers College (now Indiana State University) from 1946 to 1948, where he also worked as athletic director and basketball coach. He was of Caucasian ethnicity and a practising Christian.

Career

John Wooden began his basketball journey as a player for the Purdue Boilermakers, where he became the first college basketball player to earn All-American honours three times.

During his senior year in 1932, the Helms Athletic Foundation retroactively named his team the national champion.

Before transitioning to coaching, Wooden played professionally in the National Basketball League (NBL). In recognition of his achievements, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame both as a player (1960) and as a coach (1973), becoming the first individual to receive this dual honour.

After serving in World War II, Wooden started his coaching career at Indiana State Teachers College, where he also coached baseball and served as athletic director while earning his master’s degree in education.

In 1948, he accepted the head coaching position at UCLA, signing a three-year contract for $6,000 yearly. At UCLA, Wooden transformed a struggling basketball program into one of the most dominant forces in college sports.

He led the Bruins to their first conference championship in his second season and eventually guided them to an unparalleled 10 NCAA championships in 12 years, including seven consecutive titles from 1967 to 1973.

Wooden’s coaching philosophy emphasized character, teamwork, and hard work over mere victory. He developed the “Pyramid of Success,” a framework that outlined principles for achieving excellence in basketball and life.

This philosophy produced winning teams and shaped his players into successful individuals beyond the sport. Wooden’s teams achieved remarkable milestones, including an 88-game winning streak and four perfect seasons, underscoring his commitment to athletic and personal development.

Despite his immense success, Wooden remained humble, often turning down lucrative offers to coach professional teams. He prioritized his role as a mentor at UCLA, where he felt he could make a more profound impact.

His legacy extends beyond basketball, as he symbolized integrity, leadership, and inspiration. Former players like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Bill Walton revered him for his guidance on and off the court.

Wooden’s contributions to sports, education, and leadership continue influencing countless individuals across various fields.

Social Media

John Wooden does not have any active social media accounts.

Personal Life

John Wooden, the legendary UCLA basketball coach, was married to Nellie Riley for 53 years.

They met when he was a freshman in high school and married in a small ceremony in Indianapolis in August 1932, celebrating afterwards at a Mills Brothers concert. The couple had two children: a son, James Hugh Wooden, and a daughter, Nancy Anne Muehlhausen.

Nellie passed away from cancer on March 21, 1985, at age 73. Wooden remained devoted to her memory until his death 25 years later.

Nan Muehlhausen passed away in 2021, while Jim Wooden lives in Irvine, California, continuing to honour their father’s legacy within the UCLA community.

Net Worth

John Wooden, the legendary UCLA basketball coach, had an estimated net worth of $2 million at his death in 2010.

His wealth came mainly from his coaching salary, public speaking engagements, and book royalties.