Full Name: Martin Shkreli
Date of Birth: March 17, 1983
Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, United States
Nationality: American
Occupation: Former Pharmaceutical Executive, Convicted Felon
Genres: Business, Finance, Pharmaceutical Industry
Years Active: 2000s-2017 (in the pharmaceutical industry)
Notable Works: Founder of Turing Pharmaceuticals, Controversial price hike of Daraprim
What’s Martin Shkreli’s Net Worth?
As of 2023, Martin Shkreli’s net worth is difficult to accurately determine due to legal and financial complications, including asset seizures by federal authorities. Before his legal issues, Shkreli’s net worth was reported to be in the tens of millions of dollars, largely accrued from his activities in the pharmaceutical and finance sectors.
Early Life
Martin Shkreli was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, to immigrant parents from Albania and Croatia. He showed an early interest in chemistry and the stock market, combining these passions as he entered the pharmaceutical and finance industries. Shkreli attended Baruch College, part of the City University of New York, where he earned a degree in business.
Career
Martin Shkreli co-founded the hedge fund Elea Capital Management in his early twenties and later became known for his work with biotechnology firms and as the CEO of Turing Pharmaceuticals. He gained notoriety in 2015 after Turing acquired the manufacturing license for the antiparasitic drug Daraprim and increased its price by more than 5,000 percent overnight, sparking widespread outrage and debate over pharmaceutical pricing practices.
Legal Issues
In December 2015, Martin Shkreli was arrested by the FBI on charges of securities fraud related to his management of two hedge funds and his former company, Retrophin. In 2017, he was convicted on two counts of securities fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit securities fraud and was sentenced to seven years in federal prison.
Personal Life
Martin Shkreli has been a polarizing figure, often engaging in provocative and controversial behavior on social media and in public statements. He is also known for his interest in rare music, notably purchasing the sole copy of Wu-Tang Clan’s album “Once Upon a Time in Shaolin” for $2 million.
Influence and Legacy
Martin Shkreli’s impact on the pharmaceutical industry and public discourse around drug pricing has been significant, highlighting issues of access to medication and the ethics of pharmaceutical pricing. His legal troubles and public persona have made him a symbol of greed and ethical controversy in business.
Fashion and Style
Martin Shkreli’s public appearances have been characterized by a relatively casual style, often seen in simple, unassuming attire that contrasts with his high-profile and controversial public persona.
Martin Shkreli’s career and public life have been marked by significant achievements in the pharmaceutical and finance industries, as well as by legal controversies and public backlash. His story raises important questions about ethics, legality, and the responsibilities of executives in the healthcare sector.
