by Have you ever wondered who the richest doctors in the world are? Well, you’re in for a surprise! The world of medicine isn’t just about saving lives – it can also be a path to great wealth.
In 2024, we’re seeing more doctors than ever before joining the ranks of the super-rich. From surgeons to TV personalities, these medical professionals have turned their expertise into fortunes that most of us can only dream of.
Let’s take a closer look at the top 10 richest doctors in the world. These folks aren’t just good with a scalpel or stethoscope – they’re masters at turning their medical know-how into big bucks.
Some have started huge healthcare companies, while others have become famous faces on TV. A few have even invented new medical tools that have changed how we treat patients.
But here’s the thing – these doctors didn’t just stumble into wealth. They’ve worked hard, thought outside the box, and sometimes taken big risks to get where they are.
Their stories show us that being a doctor can lead to much more than just a comfortable life. It can open doors to becoming a business leader, an inventor, or even a household name.
World’s Richest Doctors 2024
So, are you ready to meet these medical millionaires (and billionaires)? Let’s dive in and see who’s who in the world of wealthy doctors!
Top 10 Richest Doctors in the World 2024
Here’s a quick look at our list of the richest doctors in the world for 2024:
| Rank | Name | Net Worth |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dr. Thomas Frist Jr. | $22.4 Billion |
| 2 | Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong | $6.1 Billion |
| 3 | Dr. Wu Yiling | $3.2 Billion |
| 4 | Dr. Phillip Frost | $1.9 Billion |
| 5 | Dr. Gary Michelson | $1.8 Billion |
| 6 | Dr. Phil McGraw | $460 Million |
| 7 | Dr. James Andrews | $100 Million |
| 8 | Dr. Leonard Hochstein | $90 Million |
| 9 | Dr. Terry Dubrow | $70 Million |
| 10 | Dr. Garth Fisher | $15 Million |
Now, let’s get to know each of these successful doctors a bit better!
World’s Richest Doctors 2024 – Top 10
Dr. Thomas F. Frist Jr. Net Worth [Updated]
- Specialty: Surgeon
- Nationality: American
- Date of Birth: August 12, 1938
- Education:
- BA from Vanderbilt University
- MD from Washington University in St. Louis
- Career Highlights: Co-Founder of HCA Healthcare
Dr. Thomas Frist Jr. isn’t just a doctor – he’s a healthcare tycoon! Born in Nashville, Tennessee, Frist took his medical skills and turned them into a massive business empire.
He’s the big brain behind HCA Healthcare, one of the largest hospital chains in the United States.
But Frist isn’t all about making money. He’s also big on giving back. He started the United Way Alexis de Tocqueville Society, which helps communities across America.
And get this – he’s not the only famous Frist. His brother, Bill Frist, was once the U.S. Senate Majority Leader.
With a net worth of $22.4 billion, Dr. Frist isn’t just the richest doctor in the world – he’s also the richest person in Tennessee!
He’s proof that with the right ideas and hard work, a doctor can become a major player in the business world.
Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong Net Worth [Updated]
- Specialty: Transplant Surgeon
- Nationality: American
- Date of Birth: July 29, 1952
- Education:
- MBBCh from University of the Witwatersrand
- MS from the University of British Columbia
- Career Highlights:
- Inventor of Abraxane
- Developer of transplant techniques for pancreatic islets
Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong is a real medical trailblazer. Born to Chinese parents who moved to South Africa, he’s now one of the richest people in America.
But he didn’t get there just by being a great surgeon – he’s also a brilliant inventor and businessman.
Soon-Shiong is famous for creating Abraxane, a drug that fights cancer. He also came up with new ways to transplant pancreatic islets, which is a big deal for treating diabetes.
But he didn’t stop there. He’s started several successful companies and even owns the Los Angeles Times newspaper!
What’s cool about Dr. Soon-Shiong is that he uses his wealth to help others. He’s given lots of money to fund research for organ transplants.
With a net worth of $6.1 billion, he shows that being a doctor can lead to changing the world in big ways.
Dr. Wu Yiling Net Worth [Updated]
- Specialty: Chinese Medicine
- Nationality: Chinese
- Year of Birth: 1949
- Education:
- Graduated from Hebei Medical University
- Graduated from Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine
- Career Highlights:
- Won the “Nobel Prize for Medicine” in 2015
- Head of Yiling Pharmaceutical
Dr. Wu Yiling is proof that traditional medicine can lead to modern-day success.
He’s the richest doctor in China and a big name in Chinese medicine. In 2015, he even won an award that some call the “Nobel Prize for Medicine”!
Dr. Wu has been working in medicine for over 30 years. He runs Yiling Pharmaceutical, a company started by his father.
But he’s not just about making money. Dr. Wu also spends time helping people who can’t afford medical care.
What’s special about Dr. Wu is how he combines old and new. He uses traditional Chinese medicine but runs his business in a modern way.
With a net worth of $3.2 billion, he shows that there’s still a lot of value in traditional healing methods.
Dr. Phillip Frost Net Worth [Updated]
- Specialty: Dermatology
- Nationality: American
- Year of Birth: 1936
- Education:
- BA from the University of Pennsylvania
- MD from Albert Einstein College of Medicine
- Career Highlights: CEO and chairman of OPKO Health, Inc.
Dr. Phillip Frost is a skin doctor who turned into a big-time businessman. He’s been a doctor since the 1960s, but he didn’t stick to just treating patients.
In 1972, he bought a company called Key Pharmaceuticals with his friend Michael Jaharis. That was just the start of his business journey.
Now, Dr. Frost is the boss of OPKO Health, a company that works on new drugs for cancer and other diseases. But he hasn’t forgotten about helping others.
He and his family give money to help students study science and math at the University of Oxford.
With a net worth of $1.9 billion, Dr. Frost shows that doctors can make it big in the business world.
He’s used his medical knowledge to build companies that help people in new ways.
Dr. Gary Michelson Net Worth [Updated]
- Specialty: Orthopedic Surgeon
- Nationality: American
- Date of Birth: January 14, 1949
- Education:
- Graduated from Temple University
- Graduated from Hahnemann Medical College of Drexel University
- Career Highlights: Multiple innovations for spinal surgery
Dr. Gary Michelson is the go-to guy for back problems. He’s an orthopedic surgeon who’s come up with tons of new ways to do spinal surgery.
But he didn’t just keep his ideas to himself – he turned them into patents.
In 2005, Dr. Michelson hit the jackpot. He sold his medical patents to a company called Medtronic for a whopping $1.35 billion! That deal put him on the Forbes 400 list of richest Americans.
But Dr. Michelson isn’t all about the money. He uses his wealth to help others. He’s won lots of awards for his work and is always looking for ways to help patients recover faster.
With a net worth of $1.8 billion, he shows that solving medical problems can lead to big rewards.
Dr. Phil McGraw Net Worth [Updated]
- Specialty: Mental Health
- Nationality: American
- Date of Birth: September 1, 1950
- Education:
- BA from Midwestern State University
- MA & Ph.D. from the University of North Texas
- Career Highlights:
- Hosting the Talk Show Dr. Phil
- Founding “Telehealth”
Dr. Phil McGraw, or “Dr. Phil” as most people know him, is proof that doctors can become TV stars.
He’s a psychologist who’s been helping people with their problems for over 17 years. But he doesn’t just do it in an office – he does it on national television!
Dr. Phil got his big break on The Oprah Winfrey Show. Now he has his show, Dr. Phil, where he helps people work through their issues.
He’s also written more than 40 books, many of them bestsellers.
But Dr. Phil isn’t just about TV. He’s also a businessman. He started a company called “Telehealth” that helps people talk to doctors online.
With a net worth of $460 million, Dr. Phil shows that helping people with their mental health can be both rewarding and profitable.
Dr. James Andrews Net Worth [Updated]
- Specialty: Orthopedic Surgeon
- Nationality: American
- Date of Birth: May 2, 1942
- Education:
- BS and MD from Louisiana State University
- Career Highlights: Performing surgeries on many high-profile athletes
If you’re a sports fan, you’ve probably heard of Dr. James Andrews. He’s the doctor that pro athletes go to when they get injured.
He’s helped big names like Michael Jordan, Drew Brees, and even pro wrestler Triple H get back in the game.
Dr. Andrews is known as the top orthopedic surgeon in the world. He’s done hundreds of surgeries and has played a huge role in sports medicine.
When athletes get hurt, they know Dr. Andrews is the person who can help them get back to playing their best.
With a net worth of $100 million, Dr. Andrews shows that being good at a specific type of surgery can lead to big success.
He’s not just rich – he’s also respected by athletes and doctors all over the world.
Dr. Leonard Hochstein Net Worth [Updated]
- Specialty: Breast Augmentation Surgeries
- Nationality: American (Born in Russia)
- Date of Birth: June 18, 1966
- Education:
- Doctor of Medicine from Louisiana State University Medical Center
- Career Highlights: Performed more than 30,000 breast augmentation surgeries so far
Dr. Leonard Hochstein is known as the “Boob God” of Miami. That’s because he’s one of the most famous plastic surgeons in the world, especially when it comes to breast surgeries. He’s done more than 30,000 breast surgeries in his career!
But Dr. Hochstein isn’t just about making people look good. He also helps women who need breast reconstruction after cancer. Recently, he started a scholarship to help students who want to become doctors.
With a net worth of $90 million, Dr. Hochstein shows that specializing in a specific type of surgery can be very profitable. He’s turned his skills into a successful business and a way to help future doctors.
Dr. Terry Dubrow Net Worth [Updated]
- Specialty: Plastic Surgery
- Nationality: American
- Date of Birth: September 14, 1958
- Education:
- MMS from Yale University
- MD from Los Angeles School of Medicine, University of California
- Career Highlights: Attracting Mass Attention towards plastic surgery through TV
Dr. Terry Dubrow is another plastic surgeon who’s become a TV star. He’s been on shows like The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, Botched, and The Swan.
These shows have made him famous and helped him attract more clients to his plastic surgery practice.
But Dr. Dubrow isn’t just about cosmetic surgery. He and his wife have also created something called the “Dubrow Diet.” It’s a type of intermittent fasting that’s become popular with lots of people trying to lose weight.
With a net worth of $70 million, Dr. Dubrow shows that combining medical skills with media savvy can lead to big success.
He’s used TV to make plastic surgery more mainstream and to build his brand.
Dr. Garth Fisher Net Worth [Updated]
- Specialty: Plastic Surgery
- Nationality: American
- Date of Birth: September 1, 1958
- Education:
- Graduated from the University of California, Irvine
- Career Highlight: First Doctor ever to get selected for the ABC television show Extreme Makeover
Dr. Garth Fisher is another plastic surgeon who’s found fame on TV. In 2002, he became the first doctor chosen to be on the ABC show Extreme Makeover.
This show helped people who wanted to make big changes to how they looked.
Dr. Fisher has been on lots of other TV shows too. He’s known for his work in plastic surgery and has helped many people feel better about themselves.
His TV appearances have made him one of the most well-known plastic surgeons in the United States.
With a net worth of $15 million, Dr. Fisher might not be the richest doctor on our list, but he’s still very successful.
He shows that being good at your job and getting media attention can lead to both fame and fortune.
How to Become a Rich Doctor?
Want to join the ranks of wealthy doctors? Here’s the scoop on how to boost your earning potential in the medical field:
- Choose a high-paying specialty: As we’ve seen, some specialties like neurosurgery and cardiology tend to pay more. But remember, you should also enjoy the work!
- Get extra certifications: The more skills you have, the more valuable you become. Look for additional certifications in your field.
- Consider private practice: While it’s risky, running your practice can be more lucrative than working for a hospital.
- Invest wisely: Many rich doctors grow their wealth through smart investments. Learn about financial planning and investing.
- Develop a niche: Becoming an expert in a specific area can help you charge premium rates.
- Embrace technology: Stay up-to-date with the latest medical tech. It can make you more efficient and attractive to patients.
- Network: Building strong professional relationships can lead to referrals and opportunities.
- Consider non-clinical work: Writing, consulting, or teaching can provide additional income streams.
- Manage your finances: Live below your means and save aggressively, especially early in your career.
- Be entrepreneurial: Look for opportunities to innovate or start healthcare-related businesses.
Remember, becoming a rich doctor takes time, hard work, and smart decisions. But with dedication and the right strategy, you can build significant wealth while helping others.
Things to Follow to Become a Rich Doctor in Less Time
Want to fast-track your journey to becoming a wealthy doctor? Here are some tips to help you get there quicker:
- Start early: Begin financial planning and saving as soon as you start earning.
- Pay off debt quickly: High interest debt can slow your wealth accumulation. Tackle it aggressively.
- Live frugally: Resist the urge to splurge on luxuries early in your career. Save and invest instead.
- Maximize your earning potential: Take extra shifts or moonlight at other facilities when possible.
- Invest in yourself: Attend conferences and workshops to enhance your skills and network.
- Diversify your income: Look for opportunities like speaking engagements or medical writing.
- Negotiate your contracts: Don’t be afraid to ask for what you’re worth.
- Leverage technology: Use telemedicine platforms to see more patients and increase your income.
- Collaborate with others: Partner with other doctors or healthcare providers to expand your practice.
- Stay focused: Keep your eye on your financial goals and regularly review your progress.
Remember, becoming wealthy quickly as a doctor isn’t easy. It requires dedication, smart choices, and often some sacrifices. But by following these tips, you can accelerate your path to financial success while still providing excellent care to your patients.
Most Demanding Medical Fields
Curious about which medical fields are most in demand? Here’s a look at some of the hottest specialties in 2024:
- Primary Care: With an aging population, there’s a growing need for family doctors and internists.
- Psychiatry: Mental health awareness is increasing, leading to more demand for psychiatrists.
- Emergency Medicine: ER doctors are always in high demand, especially in urban areas.
- Neurology: As we learn more about the brain, neurologists are becoming increasingly important.
- Geriatrics: With people living longer, specialists in elderly care are crucial.
- Oncology: Cancer treatments are advancing rapidly, creating a need for more oncologists.
- Pediatrics: There’s always a need for doctors who specialize in children’s health.
- Cardiology: Heart disease remains a major health issue, keeping cardiologists in high demand.
- Anesthesiology: As surgical procedures become more common, so does the need for anesthesiologists.
- Dermatology: With increased awareness of skin health, dermatologists are seeing more patients.
These fields are in demand due to factors like population changes, technological advancements, and shifts in healthcare priorities. Remember, demand can vary by location and over time. It’s always a good idea to research current trends when choosing a specialty.
20 Highest Paying Medical Specialties 2024
Wondering which medical specialties will fatten your wallet the most in 2024? Here’s a quick rundown of the top 20:
- Neurosurgery: $763,908
- Thoracic Surgery: $720,634
- Orthopedic Surgery: $654,815
- Plastic Surgery: $619,812
- Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery: $603,623
- Radiation Oncology: $569,170
- Cardiology: $565,485
- Vascular Surgery: $556,070
- Radiology: $531,983
- Urology: $529,140
- Gastroenterology: $514,208
- Otolaryngology (ENT): $502,543
- Anesthesiology: $494,522
- Dermatology: $493,659
- Oncology: $479,754
- Ophthalmology: $468,581
- General Surgery: $464,071
- Colon & Rectal Surgery: $455,282
- Pulmonology: $410,905
- Emergency Medicine: $398,990
These figures are average annual incomes but remember, actual earnings can vary based on factors like location, experience, and whether you’re in private practice or employed by a hospital.
Also, while these specialties pay well, they often require longer training periods and can be more competitive to enter. Choose a specialty that aligns with your interests and skills, not just the paycheck!
Frequently Asked Questions
- What type of doctors are the richest?
Generally, orthopedic surgeons and neurosurgeons tend to be the highest-paid doctors. But as we’ve seen from our list, doctors who combine their medical skills with business ventures or media appearances can become even wealthier.
- What are the rarest types of doctors?
Some of the rarest doctor specialties include podiatrists (foot doctors) and sleep medicine specialists. These fields might not be as well-known, but they’re important for treating specific health issues.
- Is being a medical professional in the US going to be lucrative?
Yes, the future looks bright for doctors in the US. Reports say that in the next 12 years, the US might need between 37,800 and 124,000 more doctors. This shortage could mean more opportunities and potentially higher pay for medical professionals.
- Which medical specialty is considered the best for girl students?
There’s no “best” specialty – it depends on a person’s interests and skills. However, many female students are drawn to gynecology, which focuses on women’s health. But remember, any medical field can be great for any student, regardless of gender!
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Conclusion:
Wow, what a journey through the world of wealthy doctors! We’ve seen that being a doctor isn’t just about helping people (though that’s super important). It can also lead to incredible wealth and success.
From Dr. Thomas Frist Jr. with his massive $22.4 billion fortune to Dr. Garth Fisher with his $15 million, these doctors show us different paths to success.
Some built huge healthcare companies, others became TV stars, and a few invented game-changing medical tools.
What’s clear is that these doctors didn’t just rely on their medical skills. They thought big, took risks, and often stepped outside the usual doctor’s role. They’ve shown us that medicine can be a launching pad for all sorts of exciting careers.
But here’s an important thing to remember: while these doctors are super rich, most doctors aren’t billionaires. They work hard every day to help people and make a good living. The doctors on this list are the exception, not the rule.
So, if you’re thinking about becoming a doctor, don’t do it just for the money. Do it because you want to help people and because you’re excited about medicine.
Who knows? You might end up changing the world of healthcare – and maybe even land on a future version of this list!
