Michael Milken - Philanthropist, Financier, Medical Research Innovator, Public Health Advocate
Biography • Articles • Philanthropy • Finance • Podcasts • Videos • Photos • Speeches • Myths • Quotes • Contact
Mike’s new book, Faster Cures, cites stunning medical progress that he says is “only the beginning.”
 
“An extraordinary and inspiring book.”
—DEAN ORNISH, MD, CLINICAL PROFESSOR OF MEDICINE, UCSF
 
“A primer on leadership from the brilliant mind of Mike Milken.”
—KAREN KNUDSEN, PHD, MBA, CEO, AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY
 
“I loved the book!”
—JAMES ALLISON, NOBEL LAUREATE IN MEDICINE

A new magazine article calls Mike a "genius game changer who is saving lives." Lifestyles Magazine calls Mike a "genius game changer who is saving lives."
Learn more here
   
In a Wall Street Journal opinion article, Mike said "Biology credibly promises wonders that would recently have been considered science fiction”. In a Wall Street Journal opinion article, Mike said that recent stunning medical achievements are “only the beginning.”
Learn more here
   
"Mike Milken's crusade - how it's changing medicine" was a Fortune magazine cover story. "Mike Milken's crusade - how it's changing medicine" was a Fortune magazine cover story. Learn more here
 
A Forbes cover story listed Mike among "The Visionaries Reimagining Our Children's Future." A Forbes cover story
listed Mike among
"The Visionaries Reimagining Our Children's Future."
Learn more here
Short Biography

Mike Milken's career has mirrored his professional passions: medical research, education, public health and access to capital. He has been uniquely successful in creating value, whether measured in lives saved (Fortune magazine called him "The Man Who Changed Medicine"), students inspired (Forbes said he is an education visionary) or jobs created. Beginning in 1969, he helped revolutionize capital markets by pricing and rewarding risk more efficiently. The thousands of companies he financed collectively created millions of jobs.

His philanthropy, which began in the 1970s and paralleled his business career, expanded in 1982 with the establishment of the Milken Family Foundation. In April 2023, HarperCollins published Faster Cures: Accelerating the Future of Health, Mike’s memoir of his work in medical research and public health over the past half century. Details are here.

Mike is also chairman of the Milken Institute, an economic think tank that hosts more than 200 annual conferences and other events around the world. The Milken Institute School of Public Health at George Washington University offers 30 degree options. The Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream will open in 2024.

Mike graduated from Berkeley with highest honors and earned his MBA at the Wharton School, where he was a Joseph Wharton fellow. He and his wife, Lori, who are members of the Giving Pledge, have been married since 1968. They have three children and 10 grandchildren.

Selected Articles by Mike
The Best is Yet to Come
Another Medical Revolution Is Under Way
Covid Is the 21st Century’s Sputnik
Lessons Learned from Covid-19
The Weekend Interview with Michael Milken | What Would You Risk for a Faster Cure?
"No One is Safe From Biased Reporting"
"Lessons From a Lifetime of Philanthropy"
"Mike Milken On Change"
"How Technology Liberates Human Capital"
"Three Ways to Find More Disease Cures"
"How Housing Policy Hurts the Middle Class"
"Companies Should Lean In Too"
"Why Capital Structure Matters"
"The Corporate Financing Cube"
Read other articles by Mike Milken.
Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream (MCAAD)
The Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream believes anyone with a dream, and the drive to achieve it, should have the opportunity to make it come true— through expanding access to education, health, and economic freedom, and by unleashing the power of entrepreneurship and innovation.
Milken Institute
A non-profit, non-partisan economic think tank whose scholars lead an international dialogue on solutions in the areas of economics, health, aging, human capital, philanthropy and capital markets.
FasterCures
This Washington, D.C.-based think tank is removing barriers to progress against all life-threatening diseases.
Milken Family Foundation
Established in 1982, the Foundation is one of America's leading charitable organizations supporting education and a broad range of medical research.
Bioscience/Public Health
Major recent initiatives include the Milken Institute’s COVID-19 Treatment and Vaccine Tracker, two new FDA-approved cancer treatments and a summary of the Future of Health Summit.
Milken Scholars Program
The Milken Scholars Program provides outstanding high school students with a commitment of four years of college financial assistance, counseling, volunteer opportunities and preparation for graduate studies and beyond.
Melanoma Research Alliance
The MRA has awarded approximately $123 million to medical investigators in 18 countries focused on accelerating new therapeutic approaches for melanoma, improving existing treatments, developing new biomarkers and advancing understanding of risk factors. Since 2007, the FDA has approved 13 new melanoma treatments.
Prostate Cancer Foundation
The world's largest philanthropic source of funds for prostate cancer research, the Prostate Cancer Foundation is helping reduce the death rate from one of the most common cancers.
Other Non-Profit Activities
Mike's five decades of philanthropy include many other programs in medical research, public health and education.
Click to watch video of President Joe Biden at Global Conference
President Biden told Mike what has made him so successful in negotiating as a senator and as vice president with international leaders. The bottom line? “All politics is personal.”
Click to watch video of President Bush on the loss of his sister
At the Global Conference, President George W. Bush described the effects on his family from the death of his sister Robin when he was only seven years old.
Click to watch video of Ken Hersh, president and CEO of the George W. Bush Presidential Center Interviewing Mike
Mike was interviewed at the Dallas Citizens Council by Ken Hersh, president and CEO of the George W. Bush Presidential Center. They discussed a wide range of topics from health and medical research to education, increased access to capital and the American Dream.
 


The Mentors Radio Host Dan Hesse talks with Mike about a Life’s Mission: Finding Faster Cures for Serious Disease.
30 years of progress treating disease
Mike was honored with a doctorate of science at the 2023 George Washington University commencement, where he spoke about his personal journey and 50 years of progress in medical research and public health.
GWU Graduation Speech
When Fortune magazine called Mike "The Man Who Changed Medicine," they affirmed the effectiveness of his efforts, over four decades, to accelerate medical progress against a wide range of life-threatening diseases and to improve public health around the world.
Accelerating Medical Solutions
In this excerpt from his 30-minute talk at the 2012 Milken Institute Global Conference, Bill Clinton said the conference is a place where leaders with differing points of view can share ideas and seek solutions.
President Clinton at the Milken Institute
In Johannesburg with Patrice Motsepe, February 2020
In Johannesburg with Patrice Motsepe, February 2020
Mike was joined by Francis Collins, director of the National Institutes of Health, Robert Califf, Food and Drug Administration commissioner and Tom Frieden, director of the Centers for Disease Control, at the first Milken Institute Public Health Summit in Washington.
Leaders at the Public Health Summit
The Milken Scholars Program was established in 1989 to provide outstanding high school graduates with a commitment of four years of college financial assistance, counseling, volunteer opportunities and preparation for graduate studies. Today, the Milken Scholars program encompasses a network of more than 400 professionals and current university students, many of whom are a first-generation American and the first in their family to attend college.
Milken Scholars
Mike spoke about Restoring the American Dream to a group of several hundred business and government leaders at The Economic Club of Washington D.C., and was then interviewed by David Rubenstein, president of The Economic Club. Mike spoke about such innovative entrepreneurs as Steve Wynn and Bill McGowan, as well his own legacy.
Mike interviewed at the Economic Club of DC
One of those guys who just soaks you in. New York Times columnist David Brooks addressed the Milken Institute Associates, offering an analysis of whether Washington has the political will to fix some of the nation's biggest challenges, from entitlements to energy policy.
"One of those guys who just soaks you in."
Mike makes a surprise notification of a Milken Educator Award to middle-school science teacher Luis Espinosa in Hollywood, Florida. The Milken Family Foundation has awarded thousands of Educator Awards to public-school educators across America each award includes a $25,000 check and an invitation to the annual Milken Educator Forum.
Milken Educator Award notification
Michael Milken Pardon
•  Mike's Statement
•  Editorial comment
     ⚬  WSJ
     ⚬  Forbes
     ⚬  Real Clear Markets
     ⚬  Mises Institute
A full list of Mike's organizations is here.
Want Mike to speak at an event? Click here