Peter Nicholas (businessman)

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Peter M. Nicholas co-founded medical device firm Boston Scientific with partner John Abele.

Nicholas earned a B.A. from Duke University in 1964 and an M.B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School. In 2005 he was ranked #78 by Forbes magazine's list of "The 400 Richest Americans", with an estimated worth of $4 billion.

Born to Greek-American parents, he met scientist Abele at a kids' soccer game in 1979. They borrowed $800,000 to start Boston Scientific, a manufacturer of medical devices. He helped grow the company through a series of astute acquisitions. [1]

In 1996, the Nicholas family gave $20 million to Duke University for the School of the Environment. In 2000, Nicholas was a recipient of the Ellis Island Medal of Honor.[2]. In 2004, Nicholas and his wife Ginny made another large donation to Duke, totalling $72 million. $70 million of that donation went to the Nicholas School of the Environment.[1] Overall, the family has given about $130 million to Duke.

Prior to co-founding Boston Scientific, Nicholas worked with Eli Lilly and Company.

[edit] Trivia

  • Married to Virginia (Ginny) Lilly, the great-great-granddaughter of Eli Lilly
  • He is of Greek origin[3]

[edit] External links

[edit] References

  1. ^ Nicholases' $72 Million Gift Closes Campaign At Record $2.36 Billion Duke University Office of News and Communications, January 8, 2004. Retrieved June 6, 2008.
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