4. Dr Gary Michelson – Net worth $1.4 billion
Orthopaedic spinal surgeon Dr Gary Michelson was inspired by his grandma’s spinal abnormality and chose that branch of medicine as a career.
Mr. Michelson created his wealth by a different route than the others we’ve met so far on this list.
Michelson has created a range of implants, surgical procedures and implements specifically for spinal treatments, with 340 existing patents and 950 pending patents to his name.
In 2005, Michelson sold some of his patents for $1 billion in total, which is what first thrust him onto the Forbes 400 list.
His charitable foundation has developed nanotechnology, ‘neglected’ tropical diseases, and reproductive biology, totalling investments of $300 million.
