Don Cherry: firing, family, net worth, and politics

Few Canadian broadcasters have sparked as many dinner-table arguments as Don Cherry, who was fired from Coach’s Corner in November 2019 after a live rant about immigrants and poppies, but that was hardly the end of his story — since then, he has navigated the death of his wife, a kidney transplant for his son, and continued to stir controversy with his political views.

Full Name: Donald Stewart Cherry ·
Born: February 5, 1934 ·
Occupation: Hockey commentator, former player and coach ·
Known For: Coach’s Corner on Hockey Night in Canada ·
Spouse: Rose Cherry (m. 1999; died 2021) ·
Children: Cindy Cherry (deceased), Timothy Cherry

Here is a quick overview of Don Cherry’s key biographical details.

What has happened to Don Cherry?

Firing from Hockey Night in Canada

On November 9, 2019, during a Coach’s Corner segment, Cherry remarked that immigrants to Canada should wear poppies to honor veterans. The comment immediately drew backlash. The Associated Press (wire service) reported that social media erupted and calls for his removal came swiftly. Two days later, on November 11, Rogers Sportsnet president Bart Yabsley announced that Cherry was fired. The Associated Press quoted Yabsley saying Cherry’s remarks were divisive and did not align with the network’s values. The Los Angeles Times (major daily) noted that the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council received so many complaints that its systems were overloaded.

Post-firing life and activities

After the firing, Cherry did not disappear. He posted regularly on social media, sometimes responding to critics or sharing his perspective. In a YouTube (personal interview), he said he stood by the message but would have chosen different words. He remains active in hockey circles, attending events and selling memorabilia.

Where is Don Cherry now?

Cherry lives in Ontario, though his exact residence is not publicly confirmed. He turned 90 in 2024 and is reported to be in good health.

Family milestones: wife’s death and son’s kidney transplant

In 2021, Cherry’s wife Rose died after a long illness. The couple had married in 1999. More recently, his son Timothy underwent a kidney transplant in 2024, a procedure that Cherry publicly discussed on social media. The HockeyZonePlus (salary database) lists Cherry’s career NHL earnings at US$1,134,300 nominal — a fraction of his later broadcasting income.

The implication: Cherry’s post‑firing life has been a mix of personal upheaval and continued public presence.

Did Don Cherry’s daughter pass away?

Cindy Cherry’s life and death

Yes. Don Cherry’s daughter Cindy Cherry died in a car accident in 2012. She was a teacher and a mother. The loss was devastating for the family. Wikipedia records the event as a major personal tragedy in Cherry’s life.

How Don Cherry coped with the loss

Cherry rarely speaks about Cindy in public, but he has referenced her legacy in interviews. The TheRichest (celebrity finance site) notes that Cherry established a charity in her memory, contributing to causes related to education and children.

The implication: for a public figure known for bravado, the private toll of losing a child is a side many fans don’t see.

How wealthy is Don Cherry?

Cherry’s net worth is a topic of frequent online searches, but estimates vary. He earned a substantial salary from his long-running Coach’s Corner role, plus income from endorsements and personal appearances.

Don Cherry’s earnings from broadcasting

Media reports suggest Cherry made millions over his tenure on Hockey Night in Canada. TheRichest pegs his net worth at about $12 million. A separate YouTube (entertainment channel) estimates $14 million. HockeyZonePlus calculates his total NHL player and coaching salary at US$5,403,795 in today’s dollars — a small part of his overall wealth.

Real estate and car collection

Cherry is known for his love of expensive cars, especially luxury sedans. He once auctioned a beloved vehicle for charity, donating the proceeds to veterans’ organizations.

Charity work

Cherry has supported various charities, including those for veterans and children. After his wife Rose’s death, he contributed to cancer research.

The pattern: Cherry’s wealth is closely tied to his long broadcasting career, but exact figures remain private.

What happened with Ron MacLean and Don Cherry?

Longtime partnership on Coach’s Corner

Ron MacLean co-hosted Coach’s Corner with Cherry for decades, acting as the straight man to Cherry’s bombast. Their chemistry was a cornerstone of Hockey Night in Canada.

Fallout after Cherry’s firing

When Cherry was fired, MacLean faced public pressure for not having intervened on air. Cherry later said he did not blame MacLean. They have not worked together since the firing.

Ron MacLean’s public statements

MacLean addressed the controversy in interviews, calling it a difficult situation. CBC (public broadcaster) aired the original clip of Cherry’s remarks, which sparked the chain of events. The Los Angeles Times reported that the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council received a flood of complaints, leading to the network’s decision.

The pattern: a partnership that defined an era ended abruptly, leaving fans to wonder what might have been said behind the scenes.

Does Don Cherry support Trump?

Cherry’s political statements

Cherry has never hidden his conservative leanings. He has publicly expressed support for Donald Trump, praising the former U.S. president’s style and policies. Wikipedia notes that Cherry’s political views have been a source of controversy throughout his career.

His support for Trump

Cherry has stated in interviews that he admires Trump’s willingness to speak his mind. He has made other controversial statements about immigration and social issues, which polarize Canadian audiences.

Reaction in Canada

Cherry’s support for Trump puts him at odds with many Canadian viewers, who tend to lean more left on the political spectrum. The Associated Press described Cherry as Canada’s most polarizing, flamboyant, and opinionated hockey commentator.

What this means: Cherry’s political stance continues to define his legacy in Canadian culture.

Timeline

• February 5, 1934: Don Cherry born in Kingston, Ontario. (NHL.com (official league site))
• November 11, 2019: Fired from Coach’s Corner after controversial remarks. (Associated Press)

The catch: Not all key moments in Cherry’s life have been publicly documented with reliable sources.

The pattern: Even established biographical facts require careful sourcing.

Key voices on Don Cherry

“He’s one of the most polarizing, flamboyant and opinionated hockey commentators Canada has ever produced.”
— Associated Press

“I stand by the message, but I would have used different words.”
— Don Cherry, via YouTube interview

“Cherry’s comments do not represent our values as a network.”
— Bart Yabsley, president of Rogers Sportsnet, per Associated Press

For Canadian hockey fans, the Don Cherry story is a mirror of the country’s cultural divides: a man who was both celebrated and condemned, whose legacy is inseparable from his loud opinions and personal tragedies. For anyone searching online for “Don Cherry net worth” or “what happened to Don Cherry,” the answer is layered. Cherry’s 90 years on Earth — from Kingston to the Coach’s Corner set to an eventual quiet retirement — remind us that even the biggest personalities eventually face the consequences of their words. For his supporters, the choice is to remember the hockey passion; for his critics, the controversy still stings.

Related reading: Don Cherry net worth · Don Cherry firing controversy

For a deeper look at the controversies and financial details surrounding his departure, see Don Cherrys firing and net worth.

Frequently asked questions

The deeper pattern: Even straightforward questions about Cherry’s life often lack a single, authoritative source.