Sir Andrew Morris, chief executive of Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust, was labelled a dinosaur for his controversial comment.
The remark was made just days after experts said life expectancy improvements are grinding to a halt because of the ailing NHS.
They noted how boys born today can now expect to live for 79.2 years, where as girls will be expected to reach 82.9.
He told a think-tank meeting: "Usually the blokes die off earlier because they’re nagged to death by the other half."
In attendance for the "shocking" comment were Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt and Simon Stevens, chief executive of NHS England.
Overall, more than 150 leading experts in their field attended The King's Fund briefing to discuss money-saving plans.
'PATRONISING' COMMENTS
Delegates described the comment made by Sir Morris, who reportedly earns £220,000 a year - as "patronising".
Sir Morris, knighted in 2015, has previously been named the country's top health chief executive for his leadership qualities, reports.
He is also one of the longest-serving bosses in the health service, taking up the head role at the trust in 1989.
The 61-year-old apologised to the newspaper. He said: "I made a comment that I realised right away was completely inappropriate. I would like to apologise unreservedly for any offence that it caused."
-Dailymail