Kim Pegula has had a wonderful transforming journey. Once an abandoned child in South Korea, she is successfully becoming one of the most powerful figures in American sports. As of 2025, Pegula and her husband, Terry Pegula, own a combined net worth of $8 billion. This helps them in making their place among the wealthiest owners in the NFL.Kim was born in Seoul in 1969. An American family adopted her at age five. Being raised in Fairport, New York, she had a strong zeal to grow. Her story found its track when she met Terry Pegula. In the early 1990s, while interviewing for a waitressing job, she met him. Terry, then a successful petroleum engineer and entrepreneur, offered her a position at his oil and gas company, East Resources. That chance encounter changed both their lives and eventually, the landscape of Buffalo sports.
Marriage being her strength for a new start
After marrying in 1993, the couple built an empire together. Terry’s fracking company, East Resources, became a massive success. In 2010, it was sold to Royal Dutch Shell for $4.7 billion. This provided the foundation for their growing investments. Just a year later, the Pegulas made their first major sports acquisition. They bought the Buffalo Sabres for $189 million.In 2014, they made history again by purchasing the Buffalo Bills for $1.4 billion in cash. This event outbid high-profile contenders like Donald Trump and Jon Bon Jovi. The deal not only secured the Bills’ future in Buffalo but also positioned Kim as one of the few female owners in NFL history.Also Read: Women Who Run The World Of Football: 5 NFL teams with authoritative proprietressesKim took an active leadership role as president and CEO of Pegula Sports & Entertainment. She monitored the Bills, Sabres, and several other properties. Those included the Rochester Americans, Buffalo Bandits, and the entertainment label Black River Entertainment. She also helped create the One Buffalo brand, a unifying symbol for the city’s sports culture and community spirit.
Health issues couldn’t shake the firm spirit
Despite facing serious health challenges in 2022, she has remained influential. She suffered from a cardiac arrest and had to wait a long time for her recovery. Her presence behind the scenes is quite efficient. She is a true epitome of women’s power.Today, Kim Pegula stands as a symbol of resilience and determination. She is a woman who turned a life that began in uncertainty into one defined by leadership. She is carrying a legacy and an unshakable commitment to Buffalo’s future.
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