John E. Abele is an American businessman, the self-made billionaire Co-founder and retired Founding Chairman of Boston Scientific Corporation (NYSE: BSX), a global leader in less-invasive medical devices. Born in New London, Connecticut, in 1937, his early life was marked by tragedy and resilience: his father (a submarine commanding officer) was lost in action during WWII, and John was struck by osteomyelitis (a severe bone infection) at age seven, requiring multiple surgeries and years of using crutches.

Abele graduated from Amherst College with a double major in Physics and Philosophy. His career is defined by his commitment to innovation in less-invasive medicine and a profound interest in the process by which new technology is invented and introduced to society. His philosophy centers on improving healthcare outcomes through innovation and scientific literacy.

• Boston Scientific Corporation (Co-founder & Retired Chairman): The core publicly traded asset, a global leader in less-invasive medical devices (e.g., catheters, stents).
• Medical Innovation: His success is built on developing and marketing less-invasive medical technologies (pioneering the field).
• Argosy Foundation (Founder): His private family foundation that has donated over $130 million to charitable causes since 2001.
• Philanthropic Focus: He is the former chairman of FIRST Robotics (promoting science literacy for children).

John Abele's strategic genius was his commitment to less-invasive medicine. He co-founded Boston Scientific with Peter Nicholas in 1979 (based on earlier ventures). His structural contribution is immense: pioneering the field of interventional medicine by developing and marketing innovative devices (like catheters and stents) that replace traditional surgery, improving patient care globally.

He holds numerous patents and lectured extensively on medical technology trends. After retiring, he focused on philanthropy through the Argosy Foundation, dedicated to promoting science literacy for children (serving as chairman of FIRST Robotics) and developing the Kingbridge Conference Centre and Institute (focused on problem-solving and making groups collectively intelligent). His wealth is secured by the colossal, long-term, stable profitability of the global medical device sector.

John Abele's social impact is massive and humanitarian, tied to Boston Scientific's role in improving healthcare outcomes through less-invasive procedures, reducing recovery time for millions of patients. His personal philanthropic giving (over $130 million since 2001) is significant, supporting science literacy (FIRST Robotics) and education.

His structural contribution is tied to his belief in innovation as a process and his work to locate and document the sinking of his father's submarine, the USS Grunion (which was lost in 1942), providing closure for the families of the lost crew.

John Abele maintains the professional, intellectual style of a scientist and entrepreneur. His attire is consistently pragmatic and high-quality, favoring tailored suits. His aesthetic reflects his stability, his engineering background, and his deep commitment to innovation and education.

Residing in Shelburne, Vermont (Vermont's only billionaire), his luxury is the immense security and financial reward derived from his multi-billion dollar fortune. His life is dedicated to medical device innovation, philanthropy, and the long-term stewardship of the less-invasive medicine revolution.