Empire of Pain

The Secret History of the Sackler Dynasty

by Patrick Radden Keefe

Empire of Pain (2021) traces the ascent and downfall of the secretive Sackler family, the billionaires behind Purdue Pharma. Their flagship drug, OxyContin, was heavily promoted as harmless, but ultimately sparked a devastating opioid epidemic that claimed countless lives. Yet the Sacklers' fortress of legal experts, political connections, and philanthropic reputation repeatedly shielded them from accountability.

About the author

Patrick Radden Keefe is a decorated journalist and staff writer at The New Yorker. He clinched the National Magazine Award for Feature Writing in 2014. His literary portfolio includes several bestsellers, notably Say Nothing (2018).

The meteoric rise and spectacular fall of America's most controversial dynasty

On his deathbed, Isaac Sackler expressed regret to his three sons for leaving them a modest inheritance. However, he took pride in passing on one invaluable asset: his untarnished reputation. He often reminded them that while fortunes can be rebuilt, a tarnished name is irretrievable.

His sons – Arthur, Mortimer, and Raymond Sackler – would go on to amass an enormous fortune, catapulting them into the ranks of America's wealthiest families. Their surname graced some of the world's most prestigious institutions: Harvard and Oxford Universities, the Guggenheim, the Louvre.

The source of their vast wealth remained a mystery to many, even close acquaintances. But eventually, the truth would come to light.

In 1996, a new opiate painkiller called OxyContin hit the market. Its manufacturer, Purdue Pharma, touted it as not only effective but also safe.

Soon, reports emerged of communities in turmoil. OxyContin had ensnared thousands in addiction. On the black market, an 80 mg pill fetched up to $80. Lives were torn apart. Some turned to other opiates like heroin. The death toll mounted.

Purdue Pharma was owned by the Sacklers. As OxyContin raked in billions annually for the family, it simultaneously fueled an unprecedented opioid crisis.

Later, documents revealed that the Sacklers were aware of the drug's addictive nature, yet aggressively marketed it, pushing doctors to prescribe OxyContin for mild pain and increase dosages.

In time, many institutions began removing the Sackler name from their buildings. This is the tale of how the family lost their sterling reputation while managing to retain billions.