Unpacking the Notorious Reputation of the Most Hated Person in the World
From Genghis Khan to Adolf Hitler, history is filled with individuals whose actions have earned them a reputation as some of the most hated people in the world. But who holds this title today? Who is the most hated person in the world? The answer might surprise you.
In recent years, a name has risen to the top of this unsavory list: Martin Shkreli. If you’ve never heard of him, that’s probably for the best – Shkreli’s name has become synonymous with greed, deception, and all-around unpleasantness. But who is Martin Shkreli, and why has he earned such a hated reputation?
The Rise of Martin Shkreli
Martin Shkreli was born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1983. From an early age, he showed a talent for finance and investing, eventually landing a job at a hedge fund in his early 20s. In 2011, Shkreli founded his own biotech company, Retrophin, which focused on developing treatments for rare diseases.
It was at his next venture, however, that Shkreli would gain notoriety. In 2015, his company Turing Pharmaceuticals purchased the rights to a drug called Daraprim, which is used to treat a parasitic infection that can be life-threatening for those with weakened immune systems. Almost immediately, Shkreli raised the price of the drug from $13.50 to $750 per pill – an increase of over 5,000%.
The move attracted widespread criticism, with many accusing Shkreli of profiting off the suffering of others. He became a public figure overnight, appearing in interviews and on social media to defend his actions. But his explanations did little to sway public opinion, and he soon found himself at the center of a media firestorm.
The Downfall of Martin Shkreli
Despite the backlash, Shkreli continued to court controversy. He was arrested in December 2015 on charges of securities fraud, unrelated to his actions at Turing Pharmaceuticals. His trial took place in 2017, during which time he made headlines for his bizarre behavior – including offering a bounty of $5,000 for a strand of Hillary Clinton’s hair.
In August 2017, Shkreli was found guilty on three counts of securities fraud and sentenced to seven years in federal prison. His lawyer later claimed that his behavior during the trial was a deliberate attempt to appear mentally unstable and avoid a harsher sentence.
The Legacy of Martin Shkreli
Even today, Martin Shkreli remains a controversial figure. Some see him as a symbol of everything that’s wrong with unfettered capitalism, while others argue that he was simply a smart businessman taking advantage of market conditions. Regardless of your opinion on Shkreli, it’s clear that his actions have had far-reaching consequences – shining a spotlight on the ethics of drug pricing and prompting a larger discussion about what’s fair in the world of healthcare.
Key Takeaways
– Martin Shkreli, the founder of Turing Pharmaceuticals, is widely regarded as the most hated person in the world.
– Shkreli gained notoriety in 2015 when he raised the price of a life-saving drug from $13.50 to $750 per pill.
– He was later found guilty of securities fraud and sentenced to seven years in prison.
– The legacy of Martin Shkreli is a complex one, with some seeing him as an embodiment of greed and others arguing that he was simply playing by the rules of the market.
– Regardless of your opinion, his actions have had a profound impact on the conversation around healthcare and drug pricing.
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