According to a new ranking by
Europe Surgery,the world’s top 12 richest plastic surgeons have a combined net worth of $408.7 million. But behind the glitz and glamour of their success lies a stark gender divide—86% of these high-earning surgeons are men, leaving women significantly under-represented at just 14%. And yet, the majority of plastic surgery patients are women.
At the top of the list is Dr. Leonard "Lenny" Hochstein, Miami’s self-proclaimed “Boob God”, boasting an empire worth $90 million. Not far behind is Dr. Gabriel Chiu, a Beverly Hills surgeon with royal Chinese lineage valued at $80 million. And, of course, Dr. Terry Dubrow, the beloved star of E!'s hit show Botched, secures the third spot with $70 million in the bank.
So why, in an industry that profits largely from female patients, do women remain on the financial sidelines?
"Historically, plastic surgery has been a male-dominated field, and societal norms continue to favour men in pay and opportunities,” explains Dr. Nawall Matar, a plastic surgeon at Europe Surgery. “But change is happening. Women bring a unique perspective and empathy to a profession where most patients are women. As more doors open, we’ll see plenty of women rising to the top.”
Indeed, trailblazers like Dr. Maria Z. Siemionow, a face transplant pioneer, and Dr. Cat Begovic, a social media sensation with over 1 million Instagram followers, are proving that women are carving their space in the industry.
Yet, obstacles remain. “Barriers still exist, like the ‘career vs. family’ dilemma, which slows progress for many women,” adds Dr. Matar. “I was fortunate to have strong mentors, but not everyone gets that support. To truly level the playing field, we need more role models, mentorship, and equal opportunities.”
(more…)
