John Abele

John E. Abele (born 1937) is an American businessman and co-founder of Boston Scientific, a medical device company. He received the ASME Medal in 2010 and, as of November 2024, has a net worth of $1.9 billion. He was first listed on the Forbes 400 in 1996 as a self-made billionaire. Although he has given away a significant portion of his wealth, he remains Vermont's only billionaire, residing in Shelburne. Through his private family foundation, the Argosy Foundation, Abele has donated over $130 million to charitable causes since 2001.

Early life and education Abele was raised in a "Classic Yankee family," the youngest of three sons of Catherine (née Eaton) At the age of seven, Abele was stricken with osteomyelitis, a bacterial infection of the bone, requiring multiple surgeries and years of using crutches.

Career Abele started his career at a light-fixture company in the Midwest before moving to New England to work for a small medical firm near Boston.

He was the chairman of FIRST robotics from 2002 to 2010.

Abele is a member of the USA Science and Engineering Festival's advisory board.

Personal life Abele is married to Mary Abele. They live in Shelburne, Vermont,