93-Year-Old Donates $1 Billion to Make Bronx Medical School Tuition-Free
Billionaire's Gift Eliminates Tuition for Bronx Medical Students
Medical students in the Bronx received life-changing news when 93-year-old Ruth Gottesman announced she would use her billion-dollar fortune to completely eliminate tuition at their school.
The remarkable donation comes with just one condition: the Albert Einstein College of Medicine should not be renamed in her honor.
A Humble Billionaire
Dr. Gottesman was initially reluctant to even attach her name to the donation. "They don't need to know," she said. However, a friend and colleague convinced her that others might find her life story inspiring.
Unlike many large donors, her focus isn't on recognition. Instead, Dr. Gottesman wants to expand access to medical education for students who might not be able to afford it otherwise.
Creating Access and Serving Communities in Need
By eliminating tuition costs, the gift allows new doctors to start their careers without the burden of student debt. This makes it more likely they'll work in areas like the Bronx, which typically pay less but have much higher needs for medical professionals.
The $1 billion donation is large enough to keep tuition free forever. The money will be invested and continue to grow, creating a permanent solution rather than a temporary fix.
An Unexpected Fortune and a Simple Message
Dr. Gottesman is not just a wealthy donor - she has deep connections to the school as a former professor and current board chair at Albert Einstein College of Medicine.
She shared that she was unaware her late husband, a successful Wall Street investor, would leave her with such an enormous fortune. Along with the money, he left a simple message: "Do whatever you think is right with it."
With this transformative gift, Dr. Gottesman believes she's honoring that request. "I hope that he's smiling somewhere right now," she says.
The impact of this donation will be felt for generations, as countless future doctors will now be able to pursue their dreams without financial barriers, ultimately bringing more medical care to communities that need it most.
