Ernie Fletcher
Politician, preacher and physician Ernie Fletcher first started off in the United States Air Force, with the hopes of becoming an astronaut. But, after NASA’s budget was cut, Fletcher turned to medicine, and after finishing, opened up his own private practice.
In the 90s, he started working as a lay Baptist minister, and eventually dabbled in politics. He joined the United States House of Representatives in 1999, where he served up until 2003. After which, he was elected as state Governor, a position he held until 2007. However, while in office, his reputation would take a huge hit after accusations of unethical hiring practices that made it impossible for him to be reelected.
Additionally, Fletcher almost lost his medical license after signing a death warrant for a man who’d been convicted of a double murder and was sentenced to death. But, after thorough investigation, the Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure determined that the politician was action as Governor when he signed the warrant, not as a physician. Bowling, the man Fletcher had sentenced to death, would die of cancer while in prison before the execution. He then went on to establish Alton healthcare Consulting in Cincinnati, Ohio in 2008.
Unlike the others on this list, Ernie Fletcher is believed to have made most of his rumored $3 million net worth from his time in politics, not in the ministry.