That the medical industry offers plump salaries is old news, but have you ever wondered who the richest doctors in the world are and how much they earn? While some plastic surgeons gained their millions by putting Hollywood celebrities under the knife, other specialists have made their fortune by closing clever deals with pharmaceutical companies. Either way, the medical experts on this list have certainly paid off their student debts by now.
In a recent article we took a peek at the top ten best-paid medical specialties, which included radiology, cardiology, and surgery, amongst others. However, there’s one additional factor that can help doctors of any kind pile on the big bucks: a charismatic personality. So let’s take a look at the richest doctors in the world and how they reached their current millionaire status.
10. Robert Rey
Net worth: $15 million
This plastic surgeon is considered one of the best in Beverly Hills, but he earned a big portion of his fortune by appearing on television. His appearances on Dr. 90210 especially helped to increase his popularity as a doctor, as well as the numbers on his bank account.
9. Leonard Hochstein
Net worth: $20 million
Located in Miami, Leonard Hochstein caters to the rich and famous with his plastic surgery skills. He specializes in breast implants and his wife recently became known for her role of the Real Housewives of Miami.
8. Terry Dubrow
Net worth: $30 million
It seems that appearing on television is certainly the best way to earn money, and Terry Dubrow is another good example of this. The Swan and the Real Housewives of Orange County are only some of the shows where he’s made an appearance, and as Orange County’s resident plastic surgeon you’ll have to wait six months for an appointment.
7. James Andrews
Net worth: $100 million
Recognized as the best surgeon of the Andrews sports medicine and Orthopaedic Center, James Andrews is the most recommended doctor for injured athletes. He specializes in muscle and bone fractures.
6. Dr. Phil
Net worth: $280 million
Although Dr. Phil isn’t a medical doctor, he put his degree in psychology to good use by marketing himself initially on The Oprah Winfrey Show. His popularity as a psychologist eventually led him to have his own television show, which is currently one of the top rating daytime shows on the grid. Apart from his professional success and total net worth, Dr. Phil also earns an annual salary of $80 million, making him one of the richest doctors in the world.
5. Gary Michelson
Net worth: $1.55 billion
After creating over 250 patents of orthopaedic devices, instruments, and methods, Gary Michelson won a lawsuit against Medtronic for using his patents. The settlement earned him a fortune, allowing him to allocate his knowledge to animal health. He’s now famous for his research on non-surgical ways to sterilize cats and dogs.
4. Wu Yiling
Net worth: $1.7 billion
After practicing Chinese medicine for 11 years, Wu Yiling decided to invest in the pharmaceutical industry and opened the Yiling Pharmaceutical Group Corporation in 1992. The initial risk paid off, and he made over a billion dollars by selling herbal medicines for different diseases.
3. Phillip Frost
Net worth: $3.8 billion
After earning his doctorate degree in medicine and teaching dermatology, Dr. Phillip Frost decided to dedicate his wisdom to create a money making machine. He first founded the pharmaceutical firm Ivax, which he sold for $7.8 billion, and is now the chairman of Teva Pharmaceuticals.
2. Thomas Frist
Net worth: $7 billion
The man who launched his career as an air force surgeon quickly discovered that there was a much bigger world waiting to be conquered by him. He formed a hospital conglomerate with his father and now makes over $29 billion a year by purchasing and selling medical institutions. But it’s not all money with Thomas Frist, as his achievements earned him a spot in the Healthcare Hall of Fame and a United Way Lifetime Achievement Award.
1. Patrick Soon Shiong
Net worth: $12 billion
Oncology is one of the best-paid specializations in medicine, and Patrick Soon Shiong trumps our list of the richest doctors in the world, thanks to his dedication to cancer treatment. Furthermore, this doctor uses his millions to help fun children’s hospitals, as well as finding solutions to improve the current health care costs. One could say he’s the Ghandi of doctors, but with a billion dollar net worth.
