The 20 Richest Scientists in the World
In the recent past, the modern science community has witnessed some of the most significant advancements across many sectors. The professionals involved in these scientific breakthroughs (and the resulting entrepreneurial/business efforts) have allowed these men/women of science to amass tremendous and impressive amounts of wealth.
Some of the richest scientists in the world have also established successful companies that design/manufacture innovative products or deliver life-altering medications, while others are involved in ground-breaking research providing cutting-edge results.
So, who are these billionaire scientists finding themselves among the elite on Billionaires Row – a location typically consisting of the wealthy tech-savvy masters, internet czars, nobility, celebrities, heirs/heiresses of financial bigwigs, etc.?
Our Methodology
To determine a list of these extraordinary individuals who rank among the world’s wealthiest scientists, we created our list of the twenty of the world’s wealthiest scientists, using the most current data from these sources and more –
- The Richest
- Forbes
- Bloomberg
- Celebrity Net Worth
- Medium
- CA Knowledge
- Equity Atlas, etc.
Our concluding analysis is strictly based on the scientists’ current net worth – here are the twenty richest scientists in the world and a peek into how they amass their great wealth.
The 20 Richest Scientists in the World
These men and women of science have made robust contributions to their respective scientific fields and had the vision (and a bit of luck at times) that has propelled their fortunes to extraordinary heights.
20. Hu Gengxi – Net Worth – $1 Billion
Hu Gengxi, born in Shanghai, China, is the Chairman of Zhejiang Wolwo Bio-Pharmaceutical, a manufacturer/supplier of skin prick diagnostic kits and other anti-allergen products. He is a professional biochemist – earning a doctorate from the Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology before enrolling at Massachusetts Institute of Technology to further his studies. He then returned to his homeland to develop the Human Genome Center.
In 2023, Hu Gengxi was ranked by Forbes as the 2,540 richest billionaire in the world, and a few years earlier, Forbes ranked Gengxi as the 307th richest person in China.
19. Robert Langer – Net Worth – $1 Billion
Robert Langer is a renowned scientist best known for his pioneering work in the field of biomedical engineering, MIT professor of medical engineering, and leader of MIT’s Langer Lab. However, it is through shrewd and timely investments that Langer has become a billionaire. He was a founding investor in Moderna (a biotech company) and is recognized to be among the most cited engineers – with an estimated 350,000 citations and more than 1,400 published articles.
In 2024 – according to Forbes’ real-time net worth, Robert Langer’s net worth is $1 billion. In addition, he was ranked by Forbes as the 2,513 richest billionaire in the world.
18. Chen Baohua – Net Worth – $1.1 Billion
Chen Baohua, who earned a degree in chemical analysis from Zhejiang University of Technology, ranks among the richest scientists across the globe. Baohua, who resides in Linhai, China, first worked for a state-sponsored pharmaceutical factory before opting to start his own company at 29 years of age, with only $3,000 in the bank.
In 2023, Chen Baohua was ranked by Forbes as the 2,405th richest billionaire in the world and, a few years earlier, as the 333rd richest person in China.
17. Li Wenmei – Net Worth – $1.1 Billion
Li Wenmei is a Chinese scientist who earned a graduate degree at Jilin University before becoming a professor at the University of South China for several years. He currently lives in Guangzhou, China, and has become one of the world’s wealthiest scientists as a co-founder of Guangzhou Wondfo Biotech – a medical diagnostic test supplier.
In 2022, Li Wenmei (and family) was ranked by Forbes as the 2,448 richest billionaire in the world, and a few years earlier, Forbes ranked Li Wenmei as the 394th richest person in China.
16. Yuan Jiandong – Net Worth – $1.2 Billion
Yuan Jiandong, who lives in Suzhou, China, is a chemist who chairs BrightGene Bio-Medical Technology. Yuan was educated at Peking University for his undergraduate work but completed his Ph.D. in chemistry at the State University of New York. Soon after, he worked at the U.S.-based Enzo Biochem. Jiandong then founded his own company in 2001 after returning home.
In 2021, Yuan Jiandong (and family) was ranked by Forbes as the 2,378 richest billionaire in the world, and a few years earlier, Forbes ranked Yuan Jiandong as the 398th richest person in China.
15. Gan Zhongru – Net Worth – $1.2 Billion
Gan Zhonghu is a Chinese biologist and wildly successful businessperson who founded and now chairs Gan & Lee Pharmaceuticals – a publicly traded company with annual revenue that exceeds $2 billion. The Company’s main products include insulin and various insulin analogs and delivery systems. Gan Zhongru obtained a biology degree from Peking University and earned his Ph.D. at Michigan State University.
In 2024 – according to Forbes’ real-time net worth, Gan Zhonghu was ranked by Forbes as the 2,301st richest billionaire in the world, and a few years earlier, the 206th richest person on the Forbes China Rich List.
14. Timothy Springer – Net Worth – $1.4 Billion
Timothy Springer is an immunologist, a professor at Harvard Medical School, and best known for his innovative use of monoclonal antibodies that led to his pioneering work in the field of immunology, including his discovery of the first integrins and intercellular adhesion molecules. His massive wealth was acquired by investing in Moderna and cofounder of IPI.
In 2024 – according to Forbes’ real-time net worth, Springer’s net worth is currently $1.4 billion even after donating $210 million to fund biomedical research. In addition, he was ranked by Forbes as the 1,434th richest billionaire in the world.
13. Carl Hansen – Net Worth – $1.8 Billion
Carl Hansen is a Canadian scientist who resides in Vancouver. He is the co-founder of AbCellera, a biotech firm that employs AI (artificial intelligence) learning to identify antibody treatments for diseases. Hansen was educated at the University of British Columbia and then earned his doctorate from the California Institute of Technology. He continued as a professor during the first few years of business operations but joined full-time in 2019.
In 2021 – according to Forbes, Hansen is ranked as the 1,750th richest billionaire on the globe.
12. Zhu Yiwen – Net Worth – $2.2 Billion
Zhu Yiwen, who resides in Shanghai, is a neurosurgeon and remarkably successful business owner from China who founded radiotherapy centers and oncology focused hospitals in China. Yiwen studied neurosurgery, earning a master’s degree in clinical medicine from Nanjing Medical University in the early 1990s. Yiwen then began working for Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University in 2007. According to Bloomberg, he went on to found Hygeia Healthcare Holdings Co. Ltd. In 2009
In 2023, Zhu Yiwen was ranked by Forbes as the 1,516th richest billionaire in the world, and a few years earlier, Forbes ranked Zhu Yiwen as the 370th richest person in China.
11. Dai Lizhong – Net Worth – $2.3 Billion
Dai Lizhong is a Chinese scientist and businessperson who earned degrees at Peking University before earning a Ph.D. Princeton University. Lizhong’s post-doctoral biochemistry work was completed at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Before becoming Chairman of Sansure Biotec – a supplier of diagnostic kits, Lizhong worked for the U.S.-based in the United States for Gen-Probe,
In 2022, Lizhong was ranked by Forbes as the 2,448th richest billionaire in the world, and a few years earlier, Forbes ranked Dai Lizhong as the 210th richest person in China.
10. August Troendle – Net Worth – $2.7 Billion
August Troendle is an American physician who earned his degree from the University of Maryland. He worked for Sandoz (now Novartis) before founding Medpace – a company that conducts clinical trials by working with pharmaceutical firms developing medical devices (COVID-19 swab Tests) and drugs. Medpace, which he established in 1992, went public in 2016, which created much of his current wealth.
In 2024, according to Forbes’ real-time estimated net worth, August Troendle ranked as the 1,161st richest billionaire in the world today.
9. Hao Hong – Net Worth – $1.5 Billion
Hao Hong earned a pharmaceutical chemistry Ph.D. from the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences. Hong, who currently resides in Tianjin, China (but is an American citizen), is chairman of Asymchem, a publicly traded company that started trading on the Shenzhen Exchange in 2016 and the Hong Kong Exchange five years later. Asymchem offers a wide array of pharmaceutical outsourcing services.
In 2024 – according to Forbes’ real-time estimated net worth, Hao Hong ranked as the1,952nd richest billionaire in the world today.
8. Jin Lei – Net Worth – $1.8 Billion
Jin Lei is the Chief Executive Officer of GenSci Pharma, a publicly traded company that manufactures recombinant human growth hormone. Jin Lei earned his graduate degree from the Chinese Academy of Medicine and his doctorate from the University of California. After working in the United States, Jin returned to China to develop his company, GeneScience Pharmaceuticals, which merged with Changchun High & New Technology Industries Group, in 2019.
In 2023, Jin Lei was ranked by Forbes as the 1,647th richest billionaire, and a few years earlier, was #231 on China’s Rich List.
7. Ugur Sahin – Net Worth – $3.7 Billion
Uagar Sahi, who was born in Turkey but raised in Germany, is one of the richest scientists in the world. He cofounded BionNTech, a German company that partnered with Pfizer when Covid-19 hit. Sahin’s net worth rose significantly when Sahin’s company successfully manufactured an effective COVID-19 vaccine.
In 2024 – according to Forbes’ real-time net worth, Ugur Sahin’s estimated net worth is $3.7 billion. In addition, he was ranked by Forbes in 2023 as the 534th richest man in the world.
6. Xie Liangzhi – Net Worth – $4.1 Billion
Xie Liangzhi, who resides in Beijing, China, is a chemical engineer and businessperson who earned his chemical engineering Ph.D. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He was employed as a senior engineer at Merck & Co. prior to becoming the chair of a supplier of biological products – Sinocelltech.
In 2023, Xie Liangzhi was ranked by Forbes as the 679th richest billionaire, and a few years earlier, he was China’s 203rd richest man.
5. Rajendra Agarwal Banwari Lal Bawri, & Girdharilal Bawri Net Worth – $5.85 Billion (Total)
Rajendra Agarwal, Girdharilal Bawri & Banwari Lal Bawri founded Macleods Pharmaceuticals. The three brothers first worked in the pharmacy their parents owned prior to establishing Macleods. This successful pharmaceutical manufacturing firm produces products for diabetes, osteoporosis, and asthma.
In 2023, the three brothers were ranked by Forbes as the 38th most affluent Indian family.
4. Gordon Moore – Net Worth – $6.8 Billion
Gordon Moore was a physicist and author who earned his physics doctoral degree from the California Institute of Technology. Moore co-founded and chaired NM Electronics, which evolved to become Intel Corporation. Moore has been honored as the recipient of multiple awards for his inventions and led his company by pioneering new microprocessor technologies regarding memory and design for integrated circuit boards.
In 2023, Gordon Moore was ranked by Forbes as the 352nd richest billionaire, and a few years earlier, and was #104 of the 2022 Forbes 400 list.
3. Ronda Stryker – Net Worth – $7.9 Billion
Ronda Stryker was educated at the University of Northern Colorado and Western Michigan University. She is the director of the Stryker Corporation, a medical equipment manufacturer her grandfather, Homer Stryker, founded. The Stryker organization specializes in implants for trauma surgeries, neurosurgical devices, joint replacements, surgical navigation systems, and communication systems.
In 2024 – according to Forbes’ real-time net worth, Ronda Stryker’s estimated net worth is $7.9 billion. In addition, she was ranked by Forbes in 2023 as the 344th richest person in the world and is #128 on the Forbes 400 list for 2023.
2. James Dyson – Net Worth – $9.7 Billion
James Dyson is the second wealthiest scientist globally, with a net worth of $9.6 billion. Dyson is best known as a British inventor, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and industrial designer who invented a bag-less vacuum cleaner. Dyson, who owns land in Oxfordshire, Lincolnshire, and Gloucestershire, now lives in Singapore with his wife but travels the globe to their other homes and super yacht.
In 2024 – according to Forbes’ real-time net worth, James Dyson’s net worth is $9.7 billion. In addition, he was ranked by Forbes in 2023 as the 206th richest person in the world.
1. James Watson Net Worth – $16 Billion
James Watson is a molecular biologist, geneticist, zoologist, and 1962 Nobel Prize winner for his work with Francis Crick regarding the double helix structure of the DNA molecule. Watson earned his Ph.D. from Indiana University. Watson taught and promoted molecular biology at Harvard University. Watson contributed to many television documentaries and has written multiple science books, as well as published research papers.
According to Wealthy Gorilla, James Watson is honored as the richest man or woman of science in the world, with a net worth of $16 billion.
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