$300 Million
- Category: Richest Politicians › Republicans
- Net Worth: $300 Million
- Birthdate: December 1, 1952
- Birthplace: Bloomington, Illinois
- Gender: Male
- Profession: Businessperson, Lawyer, Politician, Investor, Executive Officer
- Nationality: United States of America
What Is Rick Scott’s Net Worth and Salary?
Rick Scott is an American businessman, politician, and investor with a net worth of $300 million. He is one of the wealthiest politicians in the U.S., having made his fortune in the healthcare industry as the former CEO of Columbia/HCA.
His most recent financial disclosure estimates his net worth between $166 million and $355 million, with significant investments in healthcare, technology, and manufacturing.
Scott served as Governor of Florida from 2011 to 2019 and was elected as a U.S. Senator in 2018. His political career has been marked by controversy, including his company’s Medicare fraud scandal, investment ethics violations, and involvement in attempts to overturn the 2020 election.
Early Life and Education
Rick Scott was born Richard Lynn Myers on December 1, 1952, in Bloomington, Illinois. His biological father, Gordon, was an abusive alcoholic who left his family when Scott was an infant. His mother, Esther, later married Orba Scott, a truck driver, whose surname Rick adopted.
The family eventually moved to North Kansas City, Missouri, where Scott attended North Kansas City High School. After graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving for two-and-a-half years as a radarman aboard the USS Glover.
After his military service, Scott used the G.I. Bill to attend the University of Missouri – Kansas City, earning a B.S. in Business Administration. He later obtained a Juris Doctor (JD) from Southern Methodist University.
Business Career
Early Business Ventures
Before law school, Scott purchased and revived a failing donut shop called Flavor Maid Do-Nut. After graduating from Southern Methodist University, he became an attorney at Johnson & Swanson, a Dallas-based law firm.
Columbia Hospital Corporation & HCA Scandal
In 1988, Scott co-founded Columbia Hospital Corporation with financier Richard Rainwater. The company quickly grew, acquiring over 100 hospitals by purchasing Basic American Medical and Galen Healthcare.
In 1994, Columbia Hospital Corporation merged with Hospital Corporation of America (HCA), forming Columbia/HCA, which became the largest for-profit healthcare company in the U.S.
Medicare Fraud Investigation
In 1997, Columbia/HCA became the target of a federal investigation by the FBI, IRS, and Department of Health and Human Services.
The company was found guilty of:
- Defrauding Medicare, Medicaid, and other federal healthcare programs
- Paying kickbacks to doctors for patient referrals
- Falsifying patient sickness levels to increase Medicare payouts
Columbia/HCA eventually pleaded guilty to 14 felonies and paid a $1.7 billion fine, the largest healthcare fraud settlement in U.S. history.
Scott was forced to resign as CEO, and during a 2000 deposition, he pleaded the Fifth Amendment 75 times.
Financial Payout from Columbia/HCA
Despite the scandal, Scott left with:
- $300 million in company stock
- $5.1 million severance package
- A five-year consulting deal paying $950,000 per year
Other Business Ventures
After leaving Columbia/HCA, Scott founded Richard L. Scott Investments, a holding company with stakes in healthcare, technology, and manufacturing.
He later co-founded:
- Solantic – An urgent care clinic chain in Florida
- Alijor.com – A healthcare information service
- Conservatives for Patients’ Rights – A healthcare lobbying group
Political Career
Governor of Florida (2011–2019)
In 2010, Scott entered politics, running for Governor of Florida as part of the Tea Party movement. He narrowly won the election against Democrat Alex Sink and was reelected in 2014.
Key Policies as Governor:
- Led Florida through Hurricane Irma – Oversaw the largest mass evacuation in U.S. history
- Reduced state oversight on environmental protection – Cut funding for water management districts
- Expanded the death penalty – Oversaw a record number of executions
- Restricted voting rights – Implemented strict voter ID laws
U.S. Senate (2019–Present)
In 2018, Scott ran for the U.S. Senate, defeating Democrat Bill Nelson by just 10,033 votes.
After taking office, Scott faced criticism for alleged election finance violations. His Super PAC was linked to hedge fund billionaire Ken Griffin, who donated millions to Scott’s campaign.
Controversies and Scandals
2020 Election and January 6th Riot
Scott was one of the Republican senators who voted against certifying Pennsylvania’s electoral votes after Joe Biden’s 2020 victory.
He later voted against establishing an independent commission to investigate the January 6th U.S. Capitol attack.
Investment Ethics Violations
Scott has been accused of conflicts of interest and financial hypocrisy, including:
- Holding stocks in companies that did business with Venezuela’s Maduro regime and Russia’s Putin regime despite publicly denouncing them.
- Investing in Florida’s high-speed rail system after previously blocking public funding for the project.
Rick Scott’s Financial Standing
Primary Sources of Wealth:
- Columbia/HCA Payout – $300 million in stock, severance, and consulting fees.
- Richard L. Scott Investments – Holdings in healthcare, tech, and manufacturing.
- Solantic & Alijor.com – Healthcare-related ventures.
- Senate Salary & Political Earnings – U.S. Senator salary $174,000 per year (since 2019).
Net Worth Breakdown:
- Cash & Investments: ~$200 million
- Real Estate Holdings: ~$50 million
- Stock & Business Holdings: ~$50 million
Personal Life
- Married Frances Holland at age 19.
- They have two daughters and reside in Naples, Florida.
Conclusion
Rick Scott is one of the wealthiest politicians in the U.S., with a net worth of $300 million built through business ventures, healthcare investments, and political influence.
His tenure in both business and politics has been riddled with controversy, from the largest Medicare fraud in history to ethically questionable financial dealings as governor and senator.
Despite these scandals, Scott remains a key figure in Republican politics, with continued influence on economic, healthcare, and election policies.
