Who is B. R. Shetty?
Bavaguthu Raghuram Shetty, popularly known as B. R. Shetty, is an Indian-born entrepreneur, philanthropist, and visionary who built one of the largest healthcare empires in the Middle East. He is best recognized as the founder of NMC Health, UAE Exchange, and Neopharma. Shetty’s journey from a small-town pharmacist in India to a global billionaire is a story of ambition, innovation, and resilience.
| Full Name | Bavaguthu Raghuram Shetty |
| Popular Name | B. R. Shetty |
| Date of Birth | August 1, 1942 |
| Age (as of 2025) | 83 Years |
| Birthplace | Udupi, Karnataka, India |
| Current Residence | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (formerly) |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Zodiac Sign | Leo |
| Profession | Entrepreneur, Philanthropist |
| Education Qualification | Bachelor’s Degree in Pharmacy |
| College / University | Manipal Institute of Technology (MAHE), Karnataka |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Wife / Spouse | Dr. C. R. Shetty |
| Children | 4 |
| Father’s Name | Not Publicly Known |
| Mother’s Name | Not Publicly Known |
| Hometown | Udupi, Karnataka, India |
| Known For | Founder of NMC Health, UAE Exchange & Neopharma |
| Years Active | 1973 – Present |
| Awards & Honors | Padma Shri (India), Several UAE Business Awards |
| Languages Known | English, Hindi, Kannada |
| Net Worth (Peak) | Approx. $3.2 Billion (2018) |
| Current Net Worth (2025) | Undisclosed |
| Hobbies / Interests | Philanthropy, Reading, Business Innovation |
| Controversy | 2020 NMC Health Financial Scandal |
| Nationality of Business Operations | United Arab Emirates |
| Business Sectors | Healthcare, Pharmaceuticals, Finance, Education |
B. R. Shetty Early Life
B. R. Shetty was born on August 1, 1942, in a modest family in Udupi, Karnataka, India. Coming from a middle-class background, Shetty developed an early sense of discipline and hard work. His father was a small businessman, and young Bavaguthu grew up watching the value of persistence and ethics in achieving success.
He showed early interest in healthcare and community service, which later shaped his life’s direction as a healthcare entrepreneur and philanthropist.
B. R. Shetty Education
Shetty completed his bachelor’s degree in pharmacy from Manipal Institute of Technology (now MAHE). His academic background in pharmaceuticals laid a strong foundation for his later ventures in healthcare and medicine.
He initially worked as a medical representative in India before deciding to move abroad in search of better opportunities.
B. R. Shetty Family
B. R. Shetty comes from a traditional South Indian family. He is married to Dr. C. R. Shetty, who has been a constant support throughout his career. The couple has four children. His family played a crucial role in supporting his business endeavors, especially during the expansion of NMC Health and UAE Exchange.
| Family Member | Name / Occupation |
| Father | Not Publicly Known |
| Mother | Not Publicly Known |
| Spouse | Dr. C. R. Shetty |
| Children | 4 |
| Siblings | Not Publicly Known |
B. R. Shetty Career
Early Career
After completing his education, Shetty began his career as a pharmacist in India. In 1973, he migrated to Abu Dhabi, UAE, carrying minimal savings but immense determination.
Founding of NMC Health
In 1975, Shetty established the New Medical Centre (NMC) in Abu Dhabi with the goal of providing affordable and high-quality healthcare to the growing expatriate population. NMC eventually grew into one of the largest private healthcare chains in the Middle East, operating in several countries.
UAE Exchange and Financial Ventures
In the 1980s, seeing the need for reliable money transfer services, Shetty founded UAE Exchange, which became a global remittance leader with operations in more than 30 countries. This venture played a crucial role in facilitating financial inclusion for migrant workers.
Neopharma and Industrial Growth
In 2003, Shetty founded Neopharma, a pharmaceutical manufacturing company in Abu Dhabi. The company collaborated with global pharma giants, producing world-class medicines for regional and international markets.
Recognition and Global Expansion
Under his leadership, NMC Health became the first UAE-based healthcare company listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE) in 2012. His business empire expanded into healthcare, finance, pharmaceuticals, education, and hospitality.
B. R. Shetty Personal Life
B. R. Shetty is known for his philanthropic nature and humble personality despite his global success. He has contributed extensively to education, healthcare, and social welfare initiatives in both India and the UAE.
He is deeply rooted in Indian culture and is known for promoting Kannada heritage abroad. Shetty also supported several charitable organizations and medical initiatives for underprivileged communities.
B. R. Shetty Controversy
In 2020, B. R. Shetty faced major financial controversies after NMC Health and Finablr (parent company of UAE Exchange) were accused of accounting irregularities amounting to billions of dollars. The companies were placed under administration, and Shetty stepped down from his leadership roles.
Shetty denied any wrongdoing and claimed he was a victim of corporate fraud, seeking legal recourse to clear his name. The case remains under investigation, though his legacy as a pioneer of UAE’s healthcare sector remains significant.
B. R. Shetty Social Media
| Platform | Handle / Account | Followers (approx.) | Content Type |
| Not Public | — | Business insights, interviews | |
| Not Active | — | — | |
| Not Active | — | — | |
| Not Active | — | — |
B. R. Shetty Net Worth
| Year | Estimated Net Worth | Source of Income |
| 2015 | $2.3 Billion | NMC Health, UAE Exchange |
| 2018 (Peak) | $3.2 Billion | Healthcare & Financial Services |
| 2020 (Post-Scandal) | Declined | Legal & Financial Issues |
| 2025 | Undisclosed | Investments & Residual Holdings |
B. R. Shetty Physical Appearance
| Height | 5’9” (175 cm) |
| Weight | 75 kg (approx.) |
| Hair Color | Black (with gray) |
| Eye Color | Brown |
| Complexion | Wheatish |
| Build | Average |
Interesting Facts about B. R. Shetty
- He arrived in Abu Dhabi with just ₹8 in his pocket and built a multi-billion-dollar empire.
- NMC Health became the first UAE healthcare firm listed on the London Stock Exchange.
- Founded UAE Exchange, which later evolved into Finablr, operating in over 30 countries.
- Recipient of numerous awards, including the Padma Shri from the Government of India.
- A strong supporter of education, healthcare, and social development initiatives in India.
- Advocated for women’s empowerment and equal healthcare access.
- Known for his philanthropy in both India and the Middle East.
FAQs about B. R. Shetty
Q1. Who is B. R. Shetty?
B. R. Shetty is an Indian-born entrepreneur and philanthropist, founder of NMC Health, UAE Exchange, and Neopharma.
Q2. What is B. R. Shetty’s age?
As of 2025, he is 83 years old.
Q3. Where was B. R. Shetty born?
He was born in Udupi, Karnataka, India.
Q4. What is B. R. Shetty famous for?
He is known for building one of the largest healthcare and financial networks in the Middle East.
Q5. Who is B. R. Shetty’s wife?
His wife is Dr. C. R. Shetty.
Q6. What happened to NMC Health?
In 2020, NMC Health faced a financial scandal involving accounting irregularities and was placed under administration.
Q7. What is B. R. Shetty’s net worth now?
His current net worth is undisclosed, but he was once worth over $3.2 billion.
Q8. Has B. R. Shetty received any awards?
Yes, he was awarded the Padma Shri for his contributions to business and community service.
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