Albert Bourla is a doctor of veterinary medicine and the head of pharmaceutical company Pfizer. He has been a core member of many other organizations, including Catalyst, the Biotechnology Innovation Organization, the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, and the Partnership for New York City. As of 2023, Albert Bourla has a net worth of $36 million.
Early Life
Bourla grew up in Thessaloniki, Greece, where he was born on October 21, 1961. His Sephardi Jewish parents were among the 2,000 Jews in Thessaloniki who survived the Holocaust.
As a young adult, he graduated from the Veterinary School of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki with a doctorate in reproductive biotechnology in 1985.
At the age of 34, Albert was required to leave his native country to improve his profession. He and his family have spent their lives in four different nations and seven different cities since then.
Career
Albert began his career with Pfizer in 1993 as a veterinarian and technical director for the firm’s animal health division in his home country. When he moved, he had a variety of management positions at Zoetis and other sectors of the company.
He was the region head for Animal Health in Africa, Europe, and the Middle East from 2005 to 2009. After that, he was in charge of the Asia Pacific, Europe, and Africa division.
Then, he was chairman and general manager of his company’s Established Products Business Unit from 2010 to 2013. Bourla oversaw Pfizer’s development on cancer and heart medications from 2014 to 2016. He became COO in 2018.
Becoming CEO of Pfizer
In October 2018, he was elected to be Chief Executive Officer of Pfizer. He received the prize for Preeminent Greek Leader of the international pharmaceutical business at the Prix Galien Greece Awards night in April 2019.
He was appointed to the additional position of executive chairman in January 2020. In the same year, with the spread of the COVID-19 virus, he encouraged Pfizer employees to work quickly on a vaccine in collaboration with BioNTech.
Net Worth and Salary
By playing two major roles in his company in the midst of the pandemic, Albert Bourla’s total compensation at Pfizer was $17.9 million for 2019 and $21.03 million for 2020. This type of salary is inline with other CEO’s at major pharmaceutical companies. His base salary is relatively low and receives the majority of his pay through equity which is why he is worth $36 million! Bourla must be doing something right as the Institutional Investor named him as America’s top CEO in the pharmaceutical sector of 2020.
Other Ventures
Bourla has worked on the Biotechnology Innovation Organization’s Health Section Governing Board, the world’s largest biotechnology trade group. Bourla is on the Catalyst board of directors, a worldwide nonprofit organization.
After this, he promoted the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America and the Partnership for New York City. He also became a member of the Business Roundtable and The Business Council.
Personal Life
Bourla lives in Scarsdale, New York, with his wife Myriam and two children. They have one son and one daughter. They also have a property in Chalkidiki, Greece, where they go on vacation every summer.
In November 2021, rumors floated around the internet that Albert’s partner died because of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. However, this was later debunked by the spokesperson of Pfizer, saying that Bourla’s beloved wife is alive and well.
