Who Is Andrew Wakefield? Age, Biography and Wiki
Andrew Wakefield, born on September 3, 1956, is a British former doctor known for his controversial study published in 1998 that falsely linked the MMR vaccine to autism. Despite his discredited research, Wakefield has maintained a public presence and continues to be a figure of interest in discussions surrounding vaccines and health. As of 2025, he is 68 years old. His continued involvement in the debate around vaccines and medical ethics has made him a contentious figure in both medical and public spheres.
Occupation | Fraudsters |
---|---|
Date of Birth | September 3, 1956 |
Age | 68 Years |
Birth Place | Canadian Red Cross Memorial Hospital, Taplow, Buckinghamshire, England |
Horoscope | Virgo |
Country | England |
Popularity
Andrew Wakefield's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
As of 2025, Andrew Wakefield stands at approximately 6 feet 2 inches (188 cm) tall. His weight is reported to be around 175 pounds (79 kg). Wakefield has always appeared athletic and vigorous, which has contributed to his persuasive persona in public appearances.
In January 2012, Wakefield filed a defamation lawsuit in Texas state court against Deer, Fiona Godlee, and the BMJ for false accusations of fraud, seeking a jury trial in Travis County. The filing identified Wakefield as a resident of Austin, and cited the "Texas Long-Arm Statute" as justification for initiating the proceeding in Texas.
The BMJ responded that it stood by its reports and would "defend the claim vigorously". In August 2012 District Court Judge Amy Meachum dismissed Wakefield's suit for lack of jurisdiction. Her ruling was upheld on appeal in September 2014 and Wakefield was ordered to pay all parties' costs.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Andrew Wakefield is a private individual when it comes to his personal life. He is known to have been married to his wife, Carmel Wakefield, with whom he shares three children. As of 2025, there are no credible reports regarding any new relationships or significant dating status changes, indicating he remains committed to his family.
On 28 February 1998, Wakefield was the lead author of a study of twelve children with autism that was published in The Lancet. The study proposed a new syndrome called autistic enterocolitis, and raised the possibility of a link between a novel form of bowel disease, autism, and the MMR vaccine.
The authors said that the parents of eight of the twelve children linked what were described as "behavioural symptoms" with MMR, and reported that the onset of these symptoms began within two weeks of MMR vaccination.
Net Worth and Salary
As of 2025, Andrew Wakefield's net worth is estimated to be around $1.5 million. His income sources have variably included speaking engagements, publishing ventures, and the sale of documentaries focusing on vaccine controversies. Despite the controversies surrounding his medical career, Wakefield has successfully carved out a niche that has allowed him to maintain a respectable income.
In December 2006, Deer released records obtained from the Legal Services Commission, showing that it had paid £435,643 in undisclosed fees to Wakefield for the purpose of building a case against the MMR vaccine. Those payments, The Sunday Times reported, had begun two years before publication of Wakefield's paper in The Lancet.
Within days of Deer's report, Wakefield dropped all his libel actions and was ordered to pay all defendants' legal costs.
Career, Business and Investments
Andrew Wakefield gained notoriety through his 1998 study published in The Lancet, which suggested a link between vaccination and autism; however, the findings were later retracted. Following this, he faced significant professional backlash, including the loss of his medical license. In the years since, Wakefield has shifted focus towards advocacy against vaccinations, positioning himself as a public speaker and author. He has been involved in various documentary projects and has launched own ventures aimed at bringing awareness to his views.
Wakefield has set up the non-profit Strategic Autism Initiative to commission studies into the condition, and in 2013 was listed as a director of a company called Medical Interventions for Autism and another called the Autism Media Channel.
Social Network
In 2025, Andrew Wakefield remains active on various social media platforms where he shares his thoughts on health and vaccines. His online presence serves as both a way to engage with supporters and to disseminate information that aligns with his controversial views. Although he has faced bans and scrutiny on platforms, he has sought alternative routes to maintain his visibility and influence.
Although initially supported by Donald Trump, who appeared with him in inauguration photos, the emergence of a measles epidemic led Trump to reconsider his stance. Subsequently, social media platforms provided Wakefield with a fresh avenue to promote his anti-vaccination campaign, resulting in global repercussions, despite the fact that he has never directly treated a patient.
Education
Andrew Wakefield received his medical degree from St. Mary's Hospital Medical School, part of the Imperial College London, in 1981. His education laid the foundation for his early medical career, but it is overshadowed by the controversies surrounding his later work. Despite the implications of his later research, Wakefield's educational background is rooted in traditional medical training.
Andrew Jeremy Wakefield (born 3 September 1956 ) is a British fraudster, anti-vaccine activist, and disgraced former physician. He was struck off the medical register for "serious professional misconduct" due to his involvement in the fraudulent 1998 Lancet MMR autism study that falsely claimed a link between the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine and autism.