The combined wealth of billionaires reached $14.2 trillion in 2024, $2 trillion above a year ago and $1.1 trillion above the previous record from 2021.
Below are physician billionaires from the Forbes list:
Thomas Frist Jr., MD, and family
Rank: 73
2024 net worth: $26.2 billion
Dr. Frist founded Nashville, Tenn.-based HCA Healthcare with his father in 1968 and still owns more than 20% of the company with his family.
Patrick Soon-Shiong, MD
Rank: 469 (tied)
2024 net worth: $6.2 billion
Dr. Soon-Shiong invented the cancer drug Abraxane.
Leonard Schleifer, MD, PhD
Rank: 920
2024 net worth: $3.5 billion
Dr. Schleifer is the co-founder and CEO of drug company Regeneron.
August Troendle, MD
Rank: 991
2024 net worth: $3.3 billion
Dr. Troendle is the president, CEO and founder of clinical research company Medpace.
George Yancopoulos, MD, PhD
Rank: 1,545 (tied)
2024 net worth: $2.1 billion
Dr. Yancopoulos is the co-founder, president and chief scientific officer of Regeneron Pharmaceuticals.
Keith Dunleavy, MD, and family
Rank: 1,694 (tied)
2024 net worth: $1.9 billion
Dr. Dunleavy is the founder and CEO of healthcare data analytics company Inovalon.
James Leininger, MD
Rank: 1,694 (tied)
2024 net worth: $1.9 billion
Dr. Leininger founded medical devices company Kinetic Concepts.
Phillip Frost, MD
Rank: 1,764 (tied)
2024 net worth: $1.8 billion
Dr. Frost runs diagnostics-maker Opko Health. He founded drugmaker Ivaxin 1987 and sold it for $7.6 billion in 2005.
Gary Michelson, MD
Rank: 1,764 (tied)
2024 net worth: $1.8 billion
A retired orthopedic and spine surgeon, Dr. Michelson holds more than 340 patents for orthopedic devices.
Roy Vagelos, MD
Rank: 2,692 (tied)
2024 net worth: $1 billion
Dr. Vagelos is the former chair and CEO of Merck.
At the Becker's 23rd Annual Spine, Orthopedic and Pain Management-Driven ASC + The Future of Spine Conference, taking place June 11-13 in Chicago, spine surgeons, orthopedic leaders and ASC executives will come together to explore minimally invasive techniques, ASC growth strategies and innovations shaping the future of outpatient spine care. Apply for complimentary registration now.
