From the Editor

Last Updated Mar 10, 2026, 1:01am EDT

  • John Abele cofounded medical device developer Boston Scientific in 1979 to provide less invasive, more accessible treatments.
  • Abele took the company public in 1992 and was first listed as a billionaire on The Forbes 400 in 1996.
  • He served as a director emeritus of the company until 2017, after retiring from the board in 2011 and as co-chairman in 1995.
  • Abele's Argosy Foundation has doled out more than $130 million to a variety of charitable causes since 2001.
Wealth History
HOVER TO REVEAL NET WORTH BY YEAR
Personal Stats
Age
89
Source of Wealth
Healthcare, Self Made
Residence
Shelburne, Vermont
Citizenship
United States
Marital Status
Married
Children
3
Education
Bachelor of Arts/Science, Amherst College
Did you know
Abele's father was commander of an American submarine that vanished during World War II. Abele funded an expedition that located the sunken ship in 2007.
Abele received an honorary doctorate of medicine from the University of Vermont in 2018.
In Their Own Words

I can be a Yoda. A Yoda can go in and be the honest broker and challenge others in a way that humbles them.

John Abele & family
Related People & Companies
Amherst College
Amherst College
Attended the school
View Profile
April Anthony
April Anthony
Related by origin of wealth: Healthcare
View Profile
Tan Boon Hock
Tan Boon Hock
Related by origin of wealth: Healthcare
View Profile
Doreen Granpeesheh
Doreen Granpeesheh
Related by origin of wealth: Healthcare
View Profile
Keiichi Shibahara
Keiichi Shibahara
Related by origin of wealth: Healthcare
View Profile
Prathap Reddy
Prathap Reddy
Related by origin of wealth: Healthcare
View Profile
Xue Min
Xue Min
Related by origin of wealth: Healthcare
View Profile

More on Forbes

4 hours ago

Inside Blake Shelton’s New American Dream

After leaving ‘The Voice’ and taking a break from recording, the country superstar has a new Las Vegas residency and a growing restaurant empire. But he would much rather be back home on the range.