Martin Hirigoyen Kelly was an esteemed craniofacial cosmetic surgeon renowned in the realm of plastic surgery for his remarkable techniques and expertise in rhinoplasty. A distinguished specialist whose client list included Hollywood’s Who’s Who, he also collaborated with Facing the World, a not-for-profit organization co-founded by him and his fellow cosmetic surgeon, Norman Waterhouse.
Early Life
He entered this world on May 7, 1965, in London, UK, and was raised in the charming city of Paris, France. Fascinated by the realm of aesthetic and cosmetic medicine from a tender age, he resolved to pursue it as his lifelong vocation. After his family returned from France, he received his education in the UK.
Medical Career
Following his schooling, he pursued medicine at St Bartholomew’s Hospital Medical School and undertook surgical training in Oxford and London. Subsequently, he secured a scholarship to New York’s Mount Sinai Hospital to master the arts of microsurgery and craniofacial reconstruction.
He had the privilege of working with and learning from Darina Krastinova, a pioneering figure in the domain of facial reconstruction surgery in Paris.
He served at prestigious institutions such as Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in London and Royal Marsden Hospital in Sutton, UK, until his untimely demise in May 2008.
His clientele comprised a distinguished list of high-profile individuals, who affectionately referred to him as the “King of Rhinoplasty.” Among the affluent and famous, he was celebrated for his miraculous finesse in cosmetic surgery.
Charity
Kelly’s friends attested that he excelled in everything he pursued, from surgical artistry to skateboarding.
He employed his talents to contribute to a better world. Collaborating with numerous multinational medical organizations, including Doctors Without Borders, he journeyed to remote and crisis-ridden regions like Afghanistan.
Drawing from his insights and experiences, he co-founded the charitable organization “Facing the World” with his craniofacial surgeon comrade, Norman Waterhouse, in 2002. This organization facilitated the transportation of children from third-world countries with facial deformities to Western hospitals, where they received facial reconstruction surgery.
While the charity served in multiple locations, their focus remained especially on children from Afghanistan and Vietnam.
Facing the World established partnerships with various hospitals in Vietnam to address the medical needs of those affected by the usage of Agent Orange during the Vietnam War.
Family
Both of his parents hailed from privileged backgrounds. His father was an industrialist from a prosperous family in the Barque region of France, while his mother came from a prominent Irish lineage.
Kelly was married to the esteemed actress Natasha McElhone, a connection that dated back to their teenage years. The couple was blessed with three sons: Theodore, Otis, and Rex, with the youngest born a few months after Kelly’s passing.
Martin Hirigoyen Kelly’s Net Worth
Born into wealth, Martin Kelly’s professional success as a surgeon and his marriage to a renowned actress contributed to his substantial net worth.
Estimations suggest that Martin Hirigoyen Kelly’s estate amounted to approximately $14.5 million.
Tragic Passing
Martin Hirigoyen Kelly was discovered unconscious at the threshold of his London residence in May 2008. Tragically, he was declared deceased on May 20, with a heart attack being cited as the cause.