(LOS ANGELES) -- Los Angeles Lakers owner Jerry Buss has died in intensive care at the age of 80 after a battle with cancer.

Buss had an impoverished childhood but amassed a fortune in real estate in southern California. He earned a PhD in Chemistry and eventually began his real estate career with the purchse of an apartment building in 1959. By 1979, Buss purchased the Lakers, the LA Kings and the Forum Arena.  His Lakers won 10 NBA championships.

The string of stars who played for Buss include Jerry West, Kareem Abdul Jabar, Magic Johnson, Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant.

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