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Frost
Phillip Frost
Rank #1722
UNITED STATESHealthcarePharmaceuticals

Phillip Frost

Net Worth
$2.386B
-0.32% (24h)
Phillip Frost is a prominent American physician, inventor, and entrepreneur, primarily known for his contributions to the pharmaceutical industry and his extensive philanthropic endeavors. Born in 1936, Frost's career began as a dermatologist, and he later transitioned into business, founding and leading successful companies such as IVAX Corporation and OPKO Health, Inc.. His source of wealth is primarily from pharmaceuticals. Frost is recognized for his role in developing generic drugs and medical diagnostics. Beyond his business achievements, Frost is celebrated for his significant charitable contributions to education, science, and the arts. His net worth is estimated at $2.4 Billion.

How to read Phillip Frost's profile

Public net-worth figures are estimates. They combine observable inputs—typically listed equity, disclosed transactions, and market prices—with editorial judgment where filings are incomplete (for example, private holdings, debt, or cross-holdings). For Phillip Frost, we anchor the narrative to Pharmaceuticals and Pharmaceuticals, then update the headline number as markets move. The chart on this page is meant to show trajectory, not a certified balance sheet.

When you see $2.386B alongside global rank #1722, interpret it as our best synthesis of widely cited ownership and price signals—not a claim about cash on hand. Estimates can diverge from other publishers because of different treatment of options, trusts, charitable vehicles, or illiquid assets. We document the general approach in methodology and welcome corrections via corrections.

Country (UNITED STATES) and career milestones on this page are curated for reader context; they should be verified against primary sources when used for research. Editorial metadata for this profile is refreshed on a rolling basis, with deeper audits at least annually (last noted cycle: 2026).

Looking for depth? When available, the dossier and timeline sections below add long-form context beyond the headline number—prioritize those modules when evaluating claims about strategy, controversies, or philanthropic commitments.

The Full Dossier

Early Life and Education

Phillip Frost was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to an observant Jewish family. At a young age, he took his first job working in a hardware shop. Frost pursued higher education, earning a B.A. in French literature from the University of Pennsylvania in 1957. He furthered his studies at the University of Paris from 1955 to 1956. Frost then obtained an M.D. degree from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in 1961.

Rise to Success

Frost began his career in medicine and served as a Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Public Health Service at the National Cancer Institute. Later, he joined the faculty at the University of Miami's School of Medicine and became the chair of the Department of Dermatology at Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami. Frost's entrepreneurial journey commenced with Key Pharmaceuticals, which he acquired and developed into a successful drug company. In 1987, he founded IVAX Corporation, a pharmaceutical company. Frost's leadership and innovation have been instrumental in the pharmaceutical sector, particularly in generic drug development. He currently serves as CEO and Chairman of OPKO Health, Inc..

Key Business Strategies

A key strategy in Frost's career was his focus on bringing beneficial drugs to market and expanding healthcare options. Frost’s ability to identify promising pharmaceutical opportunities and his strategic investments have been central to his success.

Philanthropy

Phillip Frost and his wife, Patricia, are renowned philanthropists who have contributed significantly to various causes. Their donations include $33 million to the School of Music at the University of Miami, which was renamed the Phillip and Patricia Frost School of Music. They also contributed $35 million to the construction of the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science. Additionally, The Frosts have recently initiated a scholarship program for graduates of Florida state universities and Israeli universities to study at Oxford University in England. Frost has made significant donations to the arts, science, and education.

Career Timeline

2007

CEO of OPKO Health

Became CEO and Chairman of OPKO Health, Inc.

1987

Founded IVAX Corporation

Founded IVAX Corporation and served as CEO.

1970

Acquired Key Pharmaceuticals

Acquired Key Pharmaceuticals, a small public company.

1966

Joined University of Miami

Became a faculty member at the University of Miami School of Medicine.

1961

Earned MD

Received a medical degree from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine.

Philanthropic Impact

Education$33M

Frost School of Music

Donation to the University of Miami, which was renamed the Phillip and Patricia Frost School of Music.

Science$35M

Frost Museum of Science

Contribution to the construction of the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science.

EducationUnknown

Oxford University Scholarships

Initiated a scholarship program for Florida and Israeli university graduates to study at Oxford.

Net Worth History

In-Depth Analysis

Early Life and Education

Phillip Frost was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to an observant Jewish family. At a young age, he took his first job working in a hardware shop. Frost pursued higher education, earning a B.A. in French literature from the University of Pennsylvania in 1957. He furthered his studies at the University of Paris from 1955 to 1956. Frost then obtained an M.D. degree from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in 1961.

Rise to Success

Frost began his career in medicine and served as a Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Public Health Service at the National Cancer Institute. Later, he joined the faculty at the University of Miami's School of Medicine and became the chair of the Department of Dermatology at Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami. Frost's entrepreneurial journey commenced with Key Pharmaceuticals, which he acquired and developed into a successful drug company. In 1987, he founded IVAX Corporation, a pharmaceutical company. Frost's leadership and innovation have been instrumental in the pharmaceutical sector, particularly in generic drug development. He currently serves as CEO and Chairman of OPKO Health, Inc..

Key Business Strategies

A key strategy in Frost's career was his focus on bringing beneficial drugs to market and expanding healthcare options. Frost’s ability to identify promising pharmaceutical opportunities and his strategic investments have been central to his success.

Philanthropy

Phillip Frost and his wife, Patricia, are renowned philanthropists who have contributed significantly to various causes. Their donations include $33 million to the School of Music at the University of Miami, which was renamed the Phillip and Patricia Frost School of Music. They also contributed $35 million to the construction of the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science. Additionally, The Frosts have recently initiated a scholarship program for graduates of Florida state universities and Israeli universities to study at Oxford University in England. Frost has made significant donations to the arts, science, and education.

Data Sources & Methodology

Figures for Phillip Frost are synthesized from the sources below and cross-checked against our net worth methodology. Estimates may lag market moves; see corrections to report discrepancies.