Richard E. Besser

Richard E. Besser is an American physician and public health executive who has led the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) as president and CEO since April 2017. He is a trusted voice in health communication, having spent eight years as ABC News' chief health and medical editor, where he brought complex medical stories to millions of viewers. In 2026, Time Magazine named him one of the world's 100 most influential philanthropists.

Besser's career bridges clinical medicine, public health policy, and media. He served as acting director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) during the 2009 H1N1 pandemic, and he continues to shape national health conversations through his leadership at RWJF, the largest private foundation dedicated solely to improving the nation's health. He is known for his accessible, no-nonsense approach to explaining health issues, whether on television or in his book Tell Me the Truth, Doctor.

As of 2026, Besser remains at the helm of RWJF, steering its $13.5 billion in assets toward health equity and addressing structural racism as a root cause of health disparities. He is also a brother-in-law to singer Annie Lennox through his brother Mitch. [edit]

Richard Besser grew up in Princeton, New Jersey, where he graduated from Princeton High School in 1977. His interest in medicine was shaped early, but he first pursued economics, earning a BA from Williams College before committing to a medical career. He received his MD from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine in 1986, then completed his residency and chief residency in pediatrics at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore.

Besser's path to public health leadership began in 1991 when he joined the CDC's Epidemic Intelligence Service, focusing on food-borne disease epidemiology. From 1993 to 1998, he served on the faculty at the University of California, San Diego, as pediatric residency director, while also working with the county health department on controlling pediatric tuberculosis.

He returned to the CDC in 1998 as an infectious disease epidemiologist, where he worked on pneumonia, antibiotic resistance, and curbing antibiotic overuse. During this period, he held roles including epidemiology section chief in the Respiratory Diseases Branch and acting chief of the Meningitis and Special Pathogens Branch. He also served as medical director of the CDC's 'Get Smart: Know When Antibiotics Work' campaign, a national effort to promote appropriate antibiotic use. [edit]

Besser's career reached a pivotal moment in 2009 when he served as acting director of the CDC and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) from January 22 to June 8. During those months, he led the agency's response to the H1N1 influenza pandemic, a role that earned him the Surgeon General's Medallion.

Later that year, he joined ABC News as chief health and medical editor, a position he held for eight years. He provided analysis for 'World News Tonight,' 'Good Morning America,' and 'Nightline,' and reported from the front lines of the Zika outbreak in Brazil and the Ebola epidemic in Liberia. In 2011, he led ABC's global health initiative 'Be the Change: Save a Life,' reporting from seven countries, which won an Overseas Press Club Award.

In April 2017, Besser became president and CEO of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Under his leadership, the foundation has focused on health equity, addressing structural racism, and supporting programs that tackle social determinants of health. He has also served on the Multi-State Council to Get People Back to Work and the New Jersey Governor's Restart and Recovery Commission. In 2022, he joined the Howard University Board of Trustees. [edit]

Besser is known for his accessible, straightforward communication style, whether he's explaining a pandemic on national television or writing a book with his wife. He has a knack for translating dense medical jargon into language anyone can understand, which made him a trusted figure during public health crises.

At RWJF, he is seen as a champion of health equity and a vocal advocate for addressing structural racism in health. Colleagues and observers describe him as a bridge-builder between clinical medicine, policy, and media. His weekly health chats on social media during his ABC years reached millions, cementing his reputation as a doctor who meets people where they are.

He uses he/him pronouns and is known for his commitment to disability inclusion in philanthropy, a cause he has pushed forward at the foundation. [edit]

Richard E. Besser commands a global audience defined by institutional authority rather than celebrity adoration, serving as a primary voice in public health discourse and medical communication. His prominence stems from high-stakes roles such as Acting Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and President of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, where his guidance reaches millions during health crises. Despite this significant reach, iFANN's Global Fame Engine has evaluated Dr. Besser but determined he does not currently hold a placement in the published rankings, including the Global Top 1,000 or any Top-100 scope list. Consequently, no specific ordinal rank or numerical score is assigned to his current standing. Unlike pop culture figures who generate fervent fanbases, Dr. Besser operates within a professional sphere where the public engages with his expertise rather than his persona. There is no documented fandom name associated with him, nor are there organized fan groups, rituals, or campaigns dedicated to his personal brand. The audience that follows his work consists primarily of professionals, policymakers, and citizens seeking accurate health information rather than enthusiasts seeking entertainment. While he has received accolades such as inclusion on the TIME 100 list, these honors reflect his impact on policy and society rather than fame metrics driven by media consumption or search volume typical of entertainment celebrities. His influence remains measured in the billions of dollars directed toward health initiatives and the clarity of his communication during pandemics, distinct from the viral moments that drive traditional fame rankings.[edit]

Richard E. Besser served as acting director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention during the 2009 H1N1 pandemic, establishing himself as a trusted figure in crisis communication. In 2026, Time Magazine recognized him as one of the world's 100 most influential individuals. Colleagues describe his ability to translate complex medical jargon into accessible language as a defining trait of his career. He co-authored the book Tell Me the Truth, Doctor with his wife, further extending his reach into health education. During September 2025, he publicly criticized RFK Jr.'s potential influence on the CDC, labeling him a major ideologue. In October 2025, he expressed that proposed public health cuts were absolutely heartbreaking. His professional recognition includes receiving the Dean's Medal from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in 2011. These moments highlight his consistent role as a bridge between clinical science and public understanding without generating the folklore or viral incidents common among entertainers.[edit]

Richard Besser is married to Jeanne Besser, a cookbook author and food writer. The couple co-authored the 2013 book Tell Me the Truth, Doctor: Easy-to-Understand Answers to Your Most Confusing and Critical Health Questions, published by Hyperion. Their marriage has been a partnership both personally and professionally, with Jeanne's expertise in food and nutrition complementing Richard's medical knowledge.

The couple's relationship is kept largely private, with few public details about when they met or their wedding date. They have appeared together at events, and Jeanne has supported Richard's public health work. As of 2026, Richard and Jeanne are still married, and Jeanne remains a constant presence in his life. [edit]

Richard Besser's personal net worth is not publicly documented through official filings, yet his position as president and CEO of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation places him in a circle of significant financial influence. The foundation manages $13.5 billion in assets, and while his compensation aligns with leaders of major philanthropic organizations, likely ranging between $1 million and $2 million annually, his personal wealth reflects a different scale. Per iFANN's editorial analysis, Richard E. Besser's estimated net worth stands at $10 Million as of 2026. This figure accumulates from his tenure as a physician, his years as ABC News' chief health and medical editor, royalties from his books, and fees from speaking engagements. Unlike media personalities who amass vast fortunes through commercial ventures, Besser's financial trajectory remains steady and modest relative to the billions he directs toward health programs. His earnings have grown gradually over the past decade as he transitioned from high-profile media reporting to leading one of America's largest foundations, prioritizing impact over personal accumulation.[edit]

Richard Besser has received several prestigious honors for his public health leadership and medical communication. He won the Surgeon General's Medallion in 2009 for his work during the H1N1 pandemic response, the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Dean's Medal in 2011, the Overseas Press Club Award for Global Health Coverage in 2012, a Peabody Award in 2013, and an Emmy Award in 2017. He is also an elected member of the National Academy of Medicine. [edit]