Dr. Bavaguthu Raghuram Shetty, commonly known as B.R. Shetty, is a well-known Indian-born businessman who made a big impact in healthcare and finance, mainly in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This news is relevant as of Friday, October 17, 2025. Shetty is known for starting from very simple beginnings and building an empire across hospitals, pharmaceuticals, financial services, and more. His story is both inspiring and a warning about the risks in big business.
Early Life
B.R. Shetty was born on August 1, 1942, in a small town called Udupi in Karnataka, India. He came from a middle-class family. Growing up, Shetty focused on education and hard work. He studied pharmacy and later worked in his hometown before moving abroad. Life was simple but full of learning. He was determined to make something big beyond India.
Career
In 1973, Shetty moved to the UAE. He started working as the country’s first medical representative. Seeing a big need for quality but affordable healthcare, he opened a small clinic called New Medical Centre (NMC) in 1975. Initially, his wife was the only doctor. This clinic was the first private healthcare center in the UAE. Shetty’s vision was to provide healthcare for all with personal touch, especially to fellow Indian workers and others in the growing city.
Br Shetty Age, Wikipedia, Biography, Net Worth, Wife, Family
Rise to Success
NMC grew fast as the population in the UAE grew. By offering good healthcare services, Shetty earned trust. He expanded NMC into a network of hospitals and clinics covering many countries. At one point, NMC became the largest private healthcare provider in the UAE. It had over 45 facilities in 12 cities, covering regions including the Middle East, Europe, and Latin America. This success made Shetty a billionaire and earned him places on rich lists like Forbes.
Besides healthcare, Shetty started other businesses. In 1980, he launched UAE Exchange to help expatriates send money back home safely. This service became very popular and spread to many countries. In 2003, he began Neopharma, a pharmaceutical company producing medicines in the UAE. He also bought Travelex, a major currency exchange company. These helped his business grow globally under the group called Finablr.
Achievements
Shetty’s work brought many awards and global attention. NMC was the first company from the Gulf region to be listed on the London Stock Exchange and part of the FTSE 100 index. He worked to build modern hospitals and medical universities, including a planned university in Abu Dhabi honoring Sheikh Zayed.
He also invested in healthcare in India, promising big development in places like Udupi, his hometown. His businesses also reached countries like Nepal and Egypt.
Shetty was a philanthropist too. He supported education, hospitality, and environmental projects. He believed strongly in giving back to society through his businesses and charities.
Legacy
B.R. Shetty’s journey shows the power of vision, hard work, and bold entrepreneurship. From a small pharmacy graduate in India to leading a global healthcare and finance empire, his story inspires many. At the same time, it teaches lessons about transparency and responsibility in business.
He changed healthcare in the UAE and helped thousands with his services. Despite the recent troubles, his contributions to medicine, finance, and philanthropy remain significant. His plans to invest billions to improve healthcare in India still hold hope for many.