Who Is Richard Sackler? Age, Biography and Wiki
Richard Sackler, born on March 10, 1945, is a notable American billionaire and former executive within Purdue Pharma, the company that famously manufactured OxyContin. As of 2025, he is 80 years old. Sackler earned his medical degree from the New York University School of Medicine, followed by an impressive tenure at Purdue Pharma, which significantly impacted the opioid crisis in America. Despite the controversies surrounding his family's legacy, Sackler remains a prominent figure in the pharmaceutical industry.
| Occupation | Billionaire |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | March 10, 1945 |
| Age | 80 Years |
| Birth Place | Roslyn, New York, US |
| Horoscope | Pisces |
| Country | U.S |
Popularity
Richard Sackler's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
While specific details about Richard Sackler's height and weight are not widely documented, he generally maintains a private life away from public scrutiny. However, it is acknowledged that he has been seen as a fit individual for his age. As public appearances are rare, concrete body measurements are not readily available.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Richard Sackler is known to be quite private regarding his personal life. He is married but little is publicly known about his wife or any potential significant relationships outside of marriage. There have been no major reports regarding affairs or other romantic interests.
Sackler joined Purdue Pharma in 1971, as assistant to his father, the company's president. He became head of research and development and head of marketing.
Sackler was a key figure in the development of Oxycontin, being the moving force behind Purdue Pharma's research around 1990 that pushed Oxycontin to replace MS Contin that was about to have generic competition. Sackler also worked to enlist Russell Portenoy and J.
David Haddox into working within the medical community to push a new narrative claiming that opioids were not highly addictive.
In pushing Oxycontin through to FDA approval in 1995, Sackler managed to get the FDA to approve a claim that Oxycontin was less addictive than other pain killers, although no studies on how addictive it was or how likely it was to be abused had been conducted as part of the approval process.
The addictive nature of opiates has been known for several decades.
Net Worth and Salary
As of 2025, Richard Sackler's net worth is estimated to be in the range of $1 billion. This figure is primarily derived from his tenure at Purdue Pharma, as well as potential investments and holdings within various business ventures. The ongoing legal issues surrounding Purdue Pharma and the opioid crisis may affect his wealth, but Sackler's business acumen has allowed him to maintain a significant financial standing.
Career, Business and Investments
Sackler's career has been intertwined with Purdue Pharma, where he played a crucial role in the development and marketing of OxyContin in the late 1990s. He has held several key positions, contributing to the company's growth. Beyond pharmaceuticals, his investments often focus on health and wellness industries, revealing his long-standing commitment to healthcare. His entrepreneurial spirit continues to influence his business dealings.
Richard Stephen Sackler (born March 10, 1945) is an American businessman and physician who was the chairman and president of Purdue Pharma, a former company best known as the developer of OxyContin, whose role in the opioid epidemic in the United States became the subject of many lawsuits and fines, filing for bankruptcy in 2019.
The company's downfall was the subject of the 2021 Hulu miniseries Dopesick and the 2023 Netflix miniseries Painkiller, in which Sackler is portrayed by Michael Stuhlbarg and Matthew Broderick, respectively.
Social Network
Richard Sackler remains largely private and maintains a low profile on social media platforms. While he does not appear to have personal accounts on popular sites like Instagram or Twitter, discussions around his family and associated companies often surface in news articles and forums pertaining to the ever-evolving opioid crisis.
Education
Richard Sackler pursued his higher education with a focus on medical sciences. He attended Columbia University, where he obtained a degree in psychology before earning his medical degree from the New York University School of Medicine. His educational background laid the foundation for his career in the pharmaceutical industry, propelling him to the heights of corporate America.
