The World’s 10 Richest Doctors

Healthcare is expensive. You get a cough, and you suddenly get a bill in the hundreds of dollars for medication. It only gets worse if you need surgery. Hey, interested in getting that odd growth that looks like an alien off of your shoulder? It’s gonna cost ya! But what else do you expect? They are specialists. They cried tears of anguish and walked on flaming hot coals just to get through med school. They are the real MVP’s that used up a huge part of their brains to memorize every single body part and the right drugs to pump into your veins in an emergency. We may complain about their handwriting most of the time, but you gotta hand it to them— they do know how to take the sniffles away.

Most of these doctors are on top of their financial game because they’ve saved a lot of lives. They took the time, and most likely a huge student loan to help people. The best part? They’re charitable fellas who strive to completely destroy the existence of diseases and deadly viruses. Also, did you know that their money doesn’t get used (well, most of it) for their own good? Nope, they use it to help out with medical research and healthcare for the less privileged. And it doesn’t hurt that some of them know how to sculpt the perfect face and body for rich trophy wives.

#10 – Robert Rey ($15 Million)

If you’ve watched Dr. 90210, you probably recognize Dr. Robert Rey. He’s considered to be one of the best plastic surgeons in Beverly Hills— a place where Hollywood stars flock like pigeons and get attention and scandals in lieu of breadcrumbs. Dr. Rey has $15 million lining his pockets, thanks to a string of celebrity clients.

Hey guys, nobody’s perfect. Just find the right surgeon and have money, you’re good to go. That’s your part in making sure that a new doctor can make it in the richest doctors list in the future!

#9 – Leonard Hochstein ($20 Million)

Another plastic surgeon on this list.. this time, he’s from Miami, a place famous for its tanned locals and glorious beaches. Dr. Leonard Hochstein is responsible for probably half of those tanned people with ridiculous busts, seeing that made $20 million because of his practice. His other claim to fame? Being the husband of one of those ladies from “The Real Housewives of Miami”.

So, uhm, are people from Miami and SoCal unaware of the effects of heat on plastic? That’s just a disaster waiting to happen on their faces.

#8 – Terry Dubrow ($30 Million)

I once heard someone joke about how some people from Orange County in California would probably be saved in the event of a flood because they’d just float with all the plastic within their bodies. There’s no denying that people from SoCal need to continue looking good, and Doctor Terry Dubrow is more than happy to help them out with that.

He has a 6-month long waiting list and $30 million in his bank account. He also appeared on “The Real Housewives of Orange County”— where the whole cast just looks like they’re from an ad for (very obvious) plastic surgery.

#7 – James Andrews ($10 Million – 100 Million)

Athletes are the most bankable talents in the entertainment industry. It’s not required for them to look good, but they have to be able to play sports. So now, what does this have to do with the list? Well, even if athletes are in tip-top shape, there’s always the risk of injuries because some players from other teams are mean, or the hard court has a vengeance towards you (Hello Kobe and Derrick)— they have a go-to doctor named James Andrews that’s the best when it comes to sports medicines. Some say he’s worth $10 million to $100 million, but there’s no solid proof, save for the long list of athletes that pay good money to be touched by his healing hands.

#6 – Dr. Phil ($280 Million)

When I first saw Dr. Phil on TV, I thought he was the inspiration for Mr. Potato Head and became a bit fascinated with him because I figured that maybe his words were great enough for him to become a toy. I was wrong because I was a kid. Turns out, he’s one of the richest doctors out there.

Dr. Phil’s status as a reputable psychologist helped him land TV appearances via “The Oprah Winfrey Show”, and eventually, a self-titled talk show. Mr. Potato Head was also in the Toy Story franchise— I mean, Dr. Phil is now earning $80 million annually, with a net worth of $280 million.

#5 – Gary Michelson ($1.55 Billion)

Gary Michelson is a doctor that didn’t get his fortune because of endless appointments with patients who freak out at the slightest sign of a headache. Doctor Michelson was granted $1.55 billion after a company called Medtronic misused his patents and settled. You must be wondering about what kind of patents we are talking about here. Well, Michelson is the McGyver of medicine, with over 250 patents for various devices that can be used to ease his patients’ pains.

Currently, he’s focusing on finding a non-surgical method to spay and neuter cats and dogs, because the cost of surgery for animals are bordering into inhumane territory.

#4 – Wu Yiling ($1.7 Billion)

Being an Asian doctor is quite cliché and stereotypical. But if you’re Wu Yiling, you’re just compelled to laugh at all the haters while you have $1.7 billion in your bank account. It took him 11 years of practicing Chinese medicine before he struck gold.

Doctor Yiling made a fortune by selling pharmaceuticals that employed herbal methods for different aches and pains. Before you laugh and think that it’s all just new age stuff that he made up to get cash— think again. It may seem like a bunch of hooey to you, but you don’t have $1.7 billion sitting in your bank account now, do you? Buuuurn.

#3 – Phillip Frost ($3.8 Billion)

Technically, this next person on the list didn’t practice his medical degree, but he did teach dermatology in college. So, he knows how to treat all those icky bumps and rashes that may appear (which is why showering is essential, yo) on your skin. Dr. Phillip Frost started his own pharmaceutical company called Ivax for $7.8 billion— which only proves that drugs, both medicinal and recreational, are expensive and makes one top person the winner in all this.

Frost then moved on to become the chairman of Teva Pharmaceuticals, with his net worth being $3.8 billion. Now, now— he’s selling good drugs. Don’t worry.

#2 – Thomas Frist ($7.8 Billion)

Soldiers are considered to be the heroes of any and all eras. However, if you’re a surgeon in the army, those heroes look up to you as their own personal hero because, well, it’s kinda hard to perform risky operations on people that you know as comrades. Thomas Frist is one good example. Prior to building a hospital conglomerate with his father, he served in the army as a surgeon, saving the lives of those who fight for freedom.

Nowadays, he makes bank (his personal net worth is $7.8 billion!) by buying and selling hospitals, which isn’t so bad— considering that some hospitals fall into disarray and need better owners. So, this makes Frist a different kind of savior, from army men to hospitals in need.

#1 – Patrick Soon Shiong ($12 Billion)

Cancer is a terrible disease. Even the healthiest people aren’t spared, and chemotherapy can be tricky. Doctor Patrick Soon Shiong is one of those who are determined to take cancer treatment to the next level and make treatment less painful and expensive.

Doctor Patrick Soon Shiong has had several career shifts since he became a doctor (entrepreneur, then philanthropist. Soon, the Vatican will turn him into a saint— maybe) but he’s still pushing forward to lower the costs of healthcare for everyone. He uses his $12 billion fortune to fund children’s hospitals, and is trying to beat cancer’s butt for everybody’s benefit.