Introduction
Did you ever hear the name Martin Shkreli and immediately think, “Wait, is that the pharma bro who raised drug prices?” You’re not alone. Shkreli is the kind of name that’s hard to forget. He went viral for all the wrong reasons, earning himself the moniker “Pharma Bro.” But how much does he have on his financial slate? Martin Shkreli Net Worth:
But like him or loathe him, there’s no denying his story is one for the record books.
Who Is Martin Shkreli?
Hedge fund bro and pharma company ex-CEO Martin Shkreli is likely the reason. His narrative is half victory, half outrage, a cautionary tale of greed, vanity and the dark side of media power.
Early Life and Education
Shkreli was born in Brooklyn, New York, and raised in an Albanian community in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn. He was a graduate of Hunter College High School, and dropped out of Baruch College before getting a degree in business. He had an early interest in finance and biotech — which would become his controversial one-two punch.
The Start of His Career
Martin started out at the hedge fund Cramer Berkowitz and later switched to financial analysis, running hedge funds of his own, Elea Capital and MSMB Capital Management. Although he took big bets, many of them were gambles. But his ability to pick undervalued biotech companies won him early credibility.
Founding Retrophin and Turing Pharma
Shkreli, who started Retrophin in 2011 to focus on rare diseases. Unfazed, he established Turing Pharmaceuticals in 2015 — and the real controversy began there.
The Daraprim Price Hike Scandal
Turing Pharmaceuticals purchased rights to Daraprim, a drug prescribed for toxoplasmosis, in 2015. Overnight, Shkreli increased the price per pill from $13.50 to $750. Detractors labeled him greedy, unethical and exploitative.
Outcry and Media Circus
Shkreli soon became a household name, and not in a good way. Memes, talk shows and late-night hosts piled on. He embraced the villain role, smirking through interviews and trolling people online. This only fueled the fire.
Martin Shkreli’s Prison Stint
While in prison, Shkreli attempted to keep his grip on the outside world: He even used a contraband phone to pursue running a business. He was eventually paroled for good behavior, and he was released in 2022.
What Happened to His Fortune?
Martin Shkreli was supposedly worth $70 million before the scandals. Most of his wealth was held in his pharma companies and stock, which lost value after his arrest. Legal bills, asset seizures and fines also depleted his bank account.
Confiscations of Property/Financial Deprivation
To pay the penalties, the federal government confiscated some of Shkreli’s possessions, which includes:
The notorious Wu-Tang Clan album (“Once Upon a Time in Shaolin”)
A Picasso painting
Stock holdings
They struck him with $7.4 million in restitution, and that had a big effect on his bank account.
Current Martin Shkreli Net Worth
As of 2025, Martin Shkreli’s net worth is in between $0 million-$5 million. Exact figures are difficult to pin down because of private investments and pending legal matters, but it’s pretty clear that he’s not the multimillionaire he used to be.
Some guess that he’s stashing assets or deep in new projects outside the public view. Others think he’s broke. The truth? Perhaps somewhere in the middle.
Shkreli’s Comeback Attempts
Shkreli has hinted at new biotech ventures and even crypto since being released. He started Druglike, a decentralized platform for drug discovery that has raised eyebrows because he is banned for life from the pharmaceutical industry.
His Work in Drug Development Now
While ordered by the courts to stay out of the pharmaceutical business, Shkreli has found ways to stay involved, including advising in the gray area or through offshore companies. But watchdogs are monitoring his every move.
The Wu-Tang Clan Album Saga
In 2015, Shkreli purchased the sole copy of a Wu-Tang Clan album for $2 million. It was a sign of his hubris — he even said he would blow it up if Trump didn’t win. The album was also subsequently confiscated and sold by the government as part of his restitution. It is now owned by a digital art collective.
What Should We (Not) Do and Learn from His Story?
The moralizing of Martin Shkreli’s story has been inevitable in the age of the modern morality play. It is a tale of genius devoured by hubris. He had the intelligence to reform the pharma industry but opted for notoriety over innovation. Ultimately, he was a lesson on how not to deal with success.
And remember: money can buy influence; it can’t buy you out of consequences.
Conclusion
Martin Shkreli’s wealth may have dwindled, but his legacy — as controversial as it was — still fuels a little debate. From biotech prodigy to the “most hated man in America,” his is a roller coaster story of ambition, hubris and backfire.
Love him or hate him, one thing is certain: you’ll never forget the name Martin Shkreli.
FAQs
What is Martin Shkreli net worth now?
As of 2025, he has an estimated net worth of between $0 and $5 million because of legal fines and asset forfeiture.
What did Martin Shkreli go to jail for?
He was found guilty of securities fraud for deceiving investors and misusing company money.
Whatever became of that Wu-Tang Clan album he purchased?
It was confiscated by the government and auctioned to partially pay his $7.4 million restitution.
Is Martin Shkreli barred from the drug industry?
Yes, a federal judge has forbidden him from working in pharma ever again.
Is he looking to build a new business?
Yes, he did create a crypto startup in drug development called Druglike, and it’s controversial.
