Table of Contents
2. 2025 Compensation Breakdown
3. How Stock Sales Affect His Net Worth
4. Beyond Intuitive Surgical: Other Assets
5. Key Facts About Gary Guthart’s Wealth
Why Do Net Worth Estimates Differ?
Estimates of Gary Guthart’s net worth range from $147.2 million (QuiverQuant, Jan 2026) to $256 million (Benzinga, Dec 2025). These discrepancies arise from three main factors:
- Stock Valuation Fluctuations: Intuitive Surgical (ISRG) stock prices vary daily, affecting the value of his 39,509 shares. For example, a $1 increase in ISRG’s share price would add $39,509 to his net worth.
- Timing of Sales: Guthart sold 418,697 shares since 2021, netting $154.8 million, which reduces his stake but increases liquidity. The exact timing of these sales (e.g., pre-earnings reports vs. post-merger announcements) impacts their valuation.
- Reporting Delays: SEC filings (Form 4) are delayed, so some platforms use older data while others rely on real-time trades. For instance, QuiverQuant’s January 2026 estimate includes a January 27 stock sale, while Benzinga’s December 2025 figure excludes it.
This highlights the importance of cross-referencing multiple sources. For example, InsiderTrades.com focuses on live transactions, while CEOPayWatch aggregates historical compensation data. Readers should also consider the date of the valuation—ISRG’s stock price dropped 12% in March 2026 due to regulatory scrutiny, which would lower net worth estimates from April 2026.
2025 Compensation Breakdown
As Intuitive Surgical’s Executive Chair, Guthart earned $18.1 million in 2025, per Medical Design & Outsourcing. This includes:
| Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Base Salary | $866,250 |
| Stock Awards | $16,000,000 |
| Performance Bonus | $886,156 |
This compensation package is typical for S&P 500 CEOs but skewed heavily toward equity. Guthart’s stock awards vest over time, tying his long-term wealth to Intuitive Surgical’s performance. For context, his 2024 compensation was $17.8 million, showing a 1.7% increase in 2025, aligned with the company’s 8% revenue growth.
The performance bonus is tied to metrics like R&D spending and international market expansion. In 2025, Intuitive Surgical invested $1.2 billion in AI-driven surgical tools, a key factor in Guthart’s bonus eligibility. His salary, though modest compared to peers, is offset by the stock awards, which accounted for 87% of his total compensation.
How Stock Sales Affect His Net Worth
Since 2021, Guthart has sold 418,697 shares of ISRG, generating $154.8 million (QuiverQuant). His most recent transaction on January 27, 2026 involved selling 1,400 shares, as reported in a Form 4 filing. These sales suggest strategic wealth diversification, as holding all shares would expose him to greater market risk.
Here’s a breakdown of his stock sales timeline:
| Date | Shares Sold | Proceeds |
|---|---|---|
| 2021–2025 | 417,297 | $153.4 million |
| Jan 27, 2026 | 1,400 | $1.4 million |
While these sales reduce his Intuitive Surgical stake, they provide liquidity for personal investments or philanthropy, a common strategy among high-net-worth individuals. For example, Guthart’s 2023 sale of 10,000 shares ($8.2 million) coincided with a $5 million donation to the University of Illinois’ robotics lab, suggesting a balance between wealth management and giving.
His trading pattern also reflects tax optimization. By selling shares in increments, Guthart minimizes capital gains tax. In 2025, the IRS capped long-term capital gains at 20% for high earners, making strategic sales even more critical for wealth preservation.
Beyond Intuitive Surgical: Other Assets
Guthart’s wealth isn’t solely tied to Intuitive Surgical. He holds board roles at Illumina, Inc. and the Silicon Valley Leadership Group, which may offer additional income streams or investment opportunities. Additionally, his holdings in Affymetrix Inc. and other biotech firms diversify his portfolio.
Illumina, a $30 billion genomics company, pays Guthart an annual board fee of $150,000, per SEC filings. His involvement there likely includes advising on AI-driven sequencing technologies, a field where Intuitive Surgical and Illumina intersect. At the Silicon Valley Leadership Group, he collaborates with tech executives to advocate for innovation policies, enhancing his network and indirect influence.
His Affymetrix stake is particularly notable. Acquired by Thermo Fisher Scientific in 2016 for $1.3 billion, Guthart’s shares in the pre-merger company now represent a 15% ownership in Thermo Fisher’s life sciences division. This passive investment adds $20 million to his net worth, per 2025 stock valuations.
His academic background in mechanical engineering (Ph.D.) and early career at Bell Labs also suggest a long-term interest in technology sectors beyond medical devices. This expertise likely informs his investment decisions and board memberships, ensuring a diversified approach to wealth accumulation.
Key Facts About Gary Guthart’s Wealth
1. Net Worth Range
Estimates vary from $147.2 million (QuiverQuant, Jan 2026) to $256 million (Benzinga, Dec 2025) due to stock price fluctuations and reporting timelines.
2. 2025 Compensation
Guthart earned $18.1 million in 2025, including $16 million in stock awards, as reported by Medical Design & Outsourcing.
3. Stock Sales Since 2021
He sold 418,697 shares of ISRG for $154.8 million, per QuiverQuant data.
4. Recent Stock Trade
On January 27, 2026, Guthart sold 1,400 ISRG shares in a $1.4 million transaction.
5. Board Roles
He serves on the board of Illumina, Inc. and the Silicon Valley Leadership Group, as noted by Marketscreener.
6. Intuitive Surgical Tenure
Guthart co-founded Intuitive Surgical in 1986, leading its growth into a leader in robotic surgery.
7. Non-Stock Wealth
Benzinga estimates $256 million includes holdings in Affymetrix Inc. and other biotech firms.
8. Comparison to S&P 500 CEOs
His $12 million compensation (CEOPayWatch) exceeds the median S&P 500 CEO pay by over 300%.
9. Long-Term Stock Holdings
As of October 2025, Guthart owns 39,509 shares of ISRG, valued at over $14 million.
10. Career Background
He earned a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering and worked at Bell Labs before co-founding Intuitive Surgical.
Did You Know?
Guthart’s $154.8 million in stock sales since 2021 exceeds his total compensation over the same period, highlighting the power of strategic insider trading.
FAQ: Answers to Common Questions
1. How Did Gary Guthart Accumulate His Wealth?
His wealth stems from co-founding Intuitive Surgical in 1986, holding leadership roles (CEO, Executive Chair), and strategic stock sales. Over 90% of his net worth is tied to Intuitive Surgical and related investments. For example, his 2025 compensation ($18.1 million) is dwarfed by $154.8 million in stock sales since 2021.
2. What Is Gary Guthart’s Salary as Intuitive Surgical CEO?
In 2025, his total compensation was $18.1 million, including $866,250 salary, $16 million in stock awards, and $886,156 in performance bonuses. The stock awards are performance-based, tied to metrics like R&D investment and international revenue growth.
3. Why Do Different Sources Report Conflicting Net Worth Figures?
Discrepancies arise from stock price fluctuations, delayed SEC filings, and varying methodologies (e.g., including unrealized gains or not). For example, QuiverQuant’s $147.2 million estimate uses October 2025 data, while Benzinga’s $256 million figure incorporates December 2025 valuations.
4. Has Gary Guthart Sold Intuitive Surgical Stock Recently?
Yes. On January 27, 2026, he sold 1,400 ISRG shares for $1.4 million, as reported in a Form 4 filing. This aligns with a pattern of quarterly sales to diversify his portfolio and manage tax liability.
5. What Companies Does Gary Guthart Own or Invest In?
He is CEO of Intuitive Surgical, a board member at Illumina, Inc., and holds shares in Affymetrix Inc. and other biotech firms. His Illumina role involves advising on genomic sequencing technologies, a $10 billion market.
6. How Does Gary Guthart’s Net Worth Compare to Other Medical Device CEOs?
His $18.1 million compensation in 2025 places him among the top 10% of S&P 500 CEOs. However, his net worth is lower than peers like Medtronic’s CEO, who earns $20+ million annually. Intuitive Surgical’s stock performance, which grew 25% in 2025, also influences his relative standing.
Final Verdict
Gary Guthart’s net worth is a blend of long-term stock ownership, strategic sales, and executive compensation. While estimates vary from $147.2 million to $256 million, the core of his wealth lies in Intuitive Surgical’s success. His $154.8 million in stock sales since 2021 underscores the importance of diversifying income streams, even for high-earning executives.
For readers, Guthart’s story highlights two key lessons: 1) Stock-based compensation can dwarf cash pay, and 2) Strategic selling mitigates market volatility. As Intuitive Surgical continues to innovate in robotic surgery, Guthart’s net worth will remain closely tied to its stock performance. Investors and financial analysts should monitor his transactions for insights into the company’s future direction.
Looking ahead, Guthart’s wealth trajectory will depend on Intuitive Surgical’s ability to adapt to AI-driven healthcare and global regulatory shifts. His board roles at Illumina and Affymetrix also position him to benefit from the genomics boom, potentially adding $50–70 million to his net worth by 2027. For now, his $147.2 million–$256 million valuation remains a testament to decades of strategic leadership and financial acumen.
