What is Deepak Chopra's Net Worth and Salary?
Deepak Chopra is an Indian-American doctor, author, holistic health/New Age guru, and alternative medicine practitioner. With a net worth of $150 million, he is best known for his significant contributions to the "New Age" movement and as a key figure in alternative medicine. After completing his medical studies in India, Chopra furthered his education in the United States, eventually emerging as a prominent figure in the Transcendental Meditation movement.
Chopra gained widespread exposure after establishing the Maharishi Ayurveda Health Center and appearing on The Oprah Winfrey Show. He posits that the body, composed of energy, can avoid pain, aging, and dying if "perfect health" is achieved, altering one's state of mind.
Because of his unconventional beliefs, mainstream medical and scientific professionals have often criticized Chopra, dismissing his teachings as "pseudoscience" and raising concerns over the placebo effects his treatments might generate. This has sparked debates, particularly regarding serious ailments like cancer.
Early Life
Born on October 22nd, 1946, in New Delhi, British India, Deepak Chopra hails from a family with a rich military and medical background. His grandfather served as a sergeant in the British Indian Army, and his father was a renowned cardiologist. Chopra and his younger brother, who also pursued a career in medicine, were profoundly influenced by their father's profession. Deepak graduated from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in 1969, developing a keen interest in endocrinology and neuroendocrinology, specifically related to human thoughts and emotions.
Career
In 1970, after marrying, Chopra emigrated to the United States to practice medicine. He completed a clinical internship in New Jersey and residencies in Massachusetts and Boston, ultimately earning his license to practice medicine in 1973, specializing in endocrinology. Chopra spent several years teaching at Boston University and Harvard while establishing a private endocrinology clinic in Boston.
A meeting with Brihaspati Dev Triguna, the head of the Indian Council for Ayurvedic Medicine, marked a turning point. Fascinated by Ayurvedic practices, Chopra revamped his lifestyle and delved into Transcendental Meditation. Eventually, he grew disillusioned with mainstream medicine and decided to abandon it altogether.
Chopra became the founding president of the American Association of Ayurvedic Medicine and established an Ayurvedic Health Center in Massachusetts, offering services like enemas, massages, oil baths, and meditation lessons, albeit controversially.
In 1993, Chopra relocated to California and established another exclusive resort/clinic in Del Mar, charging patients $4,000 per week. That same year, he severed ties with the Transcendental Meditation movement and published the financially successful book "Ageless Body, Timeless Mind: The Quantum Alternative to Growing Old."
Jason Kempin/Getty Images
The Business of Alternative Medicine
According to a 2013 book by skeptic Paul Offit, Chopra's various business enterprises gross over $20 million annually, involving the sale of herbal supplements, books, videos, courses, and massage oils. Followers of his teachings often spend up to $10,000 annually attempting to combat the aging process through his methods.
Additionally, Chopra earns significant income through lectures, charging between $25,000 and $30,000 per lecture, with some taking place at respected medical events like "Update in Internal Medicine," organized by Harvard and the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Critics have pointed out the irony of his high fees considering his criticism of materialism.
Relationships
Chopra and his wife Rita have two children and currently reside in Manhattan.
Legal Issues
In 1991, the "Journal of the American Medical Association" faced backlash after publishing an article by Chopra on Ayurvedic medicine. It was later revealed that Chopra had financial interests linked to the article, which was criticized for its scientific value. Consequently, JAMA faced a $194-million defamation lawsuit, although it was eventually dismissed.
Real Estate
In 1993, Chopra and his wife purchased a new home in La Jolla, San Diego for $2.2 million, listing it in June 2021 for $5.65 million:
In 2016, Chopra acquired a $14.5-million health-centric condo in the Delos building on East 11th Street, Greenwich Village, Manhattan. The building features various health-conscious amenities like acoustic dampening floors, antimicrobial-coated surfaces, and EMF shielding. Prominent residents include Leonardo DiCaprio. Chopra also sold a $3.5-million apartment on Manhattan's West Side that year.
