While BR Shetty is well-known for his entrepreneurial ventures, particularly in the healthcare sector with NMC Health, the significant role his wife, Dr. Chandrakumari Shetty, played in his success often goes unnoticed.
Dr. Chandrakumari Raghuram Shetty, a respected medical professional, has been an essential part of the NMC Health journey. She, along with her husband, was instrumental in building the healthcare empire from the ground up. NMC Health became the UAE’s first private healthcare provider, a monumental achievement in the country’s medical landscape.
A Look at BR Shetty’s Journey to Fame
Born on August 1, 1942, in Udupi, Karnataka, BR Shetty came from a humble middle-class background. With just $8 in his pocket, he moved to Dubai in 1973 in search of better opportunities. He began working as a door-to-door salesman, selling medicines, a job that allowed him to build crucial relationships with medical professionals. These connections later proved invaluable when he founded NMC Health in 1975. 
Shetty’s rise to prominence was swift, but his success was later marred by a major financial scandal. In 2019, a report from Muddy Waters Research accused NMC Health of concealing over $1 billion in debt, a blow from which Shetty’s business never recovered. In the aftermath, Shetty was forced to sell his stake in NMC Health for just Rs 74, a far cry from the billions his company had been worth at its peak. At one point, Shetty’s net worth had soared to an estimated Rs 18,000 crores, and he owned luxury assets, including private jets, Rolls-Royce cars, and apartments in the Burj Khalifa.
Dr. Chandrakumari Shetty: The Pillar of NMC Health’s Growth
Dr. Chandrakumari Shetty’s contributions to NMC Health were invaluable. In 1975, the same year her husband founded the company, she became the first medical doctor to join the team. As the Group Medical Director, Dr. Shetty’s medical expertise guided the company through crucial phases of growth and operational excellence. She was responsible for overseeing critical areas such as clinical operations, infection control, patient rights, quality management, and governance.
Her leadership ensured that NMC Health maintained high standards of patient care, even during times of financial distress. Dr. Shetty’s dedication to maintaining the company’s integrity and quality is a testament to her unwavering commitment to both her profession and her husband’s vision.
However, in 2021, Dr. Chandrakumari Shetty stepped down from her role due to personal reasons, including health challenges. Despite her departure, her influence and legacy within NMC Health remain deeply ingrained in the company’s foundations.
While much of BR Shetty’s public persona revolves around his business ventures, it’s clear that Dr. Chandrakumari Shetty’s role was pivotal in turning NMC Health into a healthcare giant and maintaining its reputation for quality and care.
