:Bob Iger

{{Infobox person

| image = BobIgerHWOFJune2013.jpg

| caption = Iger in 2013

| birth_name = Robert Alan Iger

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1951|2|10}}

| birth_place = New York City, US

| spouse = {{plainlist|

{{marriage|Susan Iger|1977|1994|end=div}}
{{marriage|Willow Bay|1995}}

}}

| children = 4

| relatives = Jerry Iger (great-uncle)Adelman, Bob. Will Eisner: A Spirited Life (M Press, Milwaukie, Oregon, 2005), {{ISBN|1-59582-011-6}}, {{ISBN|978-1-59582-011-2}}, p. 351

| education = Ithaca College (BS)

| title = CEO of The Walt Disney Company (2005–2020, 2022–present)

| boards = {{Plainlist|

Apple Inc. (2011–2019)
Perfect Day (2020–present)
Genies, Inc. (2022–present)

}}

| signature = Robert A. Bob Iger signature.svg

}}

Robert Alan Iger ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|aɪ|ɡ|ər}}; born February 10, 1951) is an American media executive who is chief executive officer (CEO) of the Walt Disney Company.{{Cite web |title=Robert A. Iger – The Walt Disney Company |url=https://thewaltdisneycompany.com/leaders/robert-a-iger-2/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240519041910/https://thewaltdisneycompany.com/leaders/robert-a-iger-2/ |archive-date=May 19, 2024 |access-date=June 21, 2024 |publisher=The Walt Disney Company}} He previously was the president of the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) between 1994 and 1995 and president and chief operating officer (COO) of Capital Cities/ABC, from 1995 until its acquisition by Disney in 1996. Iger was named president of Disney in 2000 and succeeded Michael Eisner as CEO in 2005, until his contract expired in 2020. He then was executive chairman until his formal retirement from the company on December 31, 2021. After his exit from the company, Iger continued as an advisor to his successor.

However, at the request of Disney's board of directors, Iger returned to Disney as CEO on November 20, 2022, following the unscheduled and immediate dismissal of his appointed successor, Bob Chapek.{{Cite web |last=Zachary |date=November 21, 2022 |title=Robert A. Iger Appointed CEO by Disney Board of Directors |url=https://thewaltdisneycompany.com/robert-a-iger-appointed-chief-executive-officer-by-the-walt-disney-company-board-of-directors/ |access-date=November 21, 2022 |website=The Walt Disney Company |language=en-US}} Iger's 2023 pay package included a base salary of $865,385, stock awards of $16.1 million, $10 million in stock option awards, $2.1 million in performance-based compensation and $2.48 million in other compensation, leading to a total pay award of $31.6 million, according to Disney's annual proxy statement. In July 2023, Disney renewed Iger's contract until 2026.

Considered a highly effective and visionary media executive, Iger was able to broaden Disney's roster of intellectual properties, expanded its presence in international markets, and oversaw an increase of the company's market capitalization from $56 billion to $231 billion during his initial 15-year stewardship of the company.{{Cite web|url=https://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/bob-iger-walt-disney-stock-performance |title=How Bob Iger changed Disney's reputation for market magic |date=February 26, 2020 |website=Fox Business |language=en-US}} He led the major acquisitions of Pixar in 2006 for $7.4 billion, Marvel Entertainment in 2009 for $4 billion, Lucasfilm in 2012 for $4.06 billion, and the entertainment assets of 21st Century Fox in 2019 for $71.3 billion. Iger also expanded the company's theme park resorts presence in East Asia, with the introduction of Hong Kong Disneyland Resort and Shanghai Disney Resort in 2005 and 2016, respectively. Additionally, he was also the driving force behind the reinvigoration of Walt Disney Animation Studios, the branded-release strategy of its film studio's output, and the company's increased investment in its direct-to-consumer businesses, including Disney+ and Hulu.

Early life and education

Robert Alan Iger was born to a Jewish family in New York City.{{cite book| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NUXIAgAAQBAJ&q=bob+iger+born+%22new+York%22&pg=PA1168 | title=Encyclopedia of Television |year= 2004| editor-first=Horace | editor-last=Newcomb| publisher=Routledge| edition=2nd| isbn= 978-1579583941| page=1168}}{{cite news|url=http://jewishbusinessnews.com/2015/02/05/bob-iger-talks-live-streaming-for-disneys-channels/ |work=Jewish Business News|title=Bob Iger Talks Live Streaming for Disney's Channels|date=February 5, 2015| archive-date= August 6, 2016| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160806050245/http://jewishbusinessnews.com/2015/02/05/bob-iger-talks-live-streaming-for-disneys-channels/| url-status=live}}{{cite book|url=http://docs.lib.purdue.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1003&context=purduepress_previews|first=Vincent|last=Brook|title=From Shtetl to Stardom: Jews and Hollywood: Chapter 1: Still an Empire of Their Own: How Jews Remain Atop a Reinvented Hollywood|pages=15 |publisher=Purdue University Press|date=December 15, 2016|isbn=9781557537638}} He is the oldest son of Miriam "Mimi" (née Tunick) (1927–2013) and Arthur L. Iger (1926–2010).{{cite news|url=http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/newsday/obituary.aspx?pid=143108000 |publisher=(Death notice) Newsday| location = New York City / Long Island | title=Arthur L. Iger |date=May 25, 2010|access-date=March 3, 2017| archive-date= June 10, 2016| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160610094105/http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/newsday/obituary.aspx?pid=143108000| url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/newsday/obituary.aspx?n=miriam-a-iger&pid=163643421 |publisher=(Death notice) Newsday | location = New York City / Long Island |title= Miriam A. Iger|date=March 13, 2013| archive-date= September 10, 2016| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160910175402/http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/newsday/obituary.aspx?n=miriam-a-iger&pid=163643421| url-status=live}} His father was a World War II Navy veteran{{cite web |last1=Dowd |first1=Maureen |title=The Slow-Burning Success of Disney's Bob Iger |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/22/style/disney-bob-iger-book.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=September 22, 2019 |date=September 22, 2019}} who was the executive vice president and general manager of the Greenvale Marketing Corporation, and was also a professor of advertising and public relations.Robert Iger, interviewed by Christiane Amanpour on PBS's Amanpour & Co., September 30, 2019, re-aired November 30, 2019. His mother worked at Boardman Junior High School in Oceanside, New York.{{cite news | title = NYT Notices, Willow Bay and Robert Iger | publisher = NYT | year = 2008 | url = https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F05E2D81239F93BA35753C1A963958260}}[http://www.avodah.org/aboutus/ Temple Avodah website: "Famous members – Robert Iger, President & CEO, Disney Corporation"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121031100523/http://www.avodah.org/aboutus/ |date=October 31, 2012 }} retrieved October 11, 2012 Arthur's father Joe (i.e. Bob's paternal grandfather) was cartoonist Jerry Iger's brother.

He was raised in Oceanside, where he attended the Fulton Avenue School and graduated from Oceanside High School in 1969.{{cite web |title=Here's what 13 successful CEOs looked like in high school {{!}} Financial Post |url=http://business.financialpost.com/business-insider/heres-what-13-successful-ceos-looked-like-in-high-school?__lsa=78df-590d |website=Business Insider |language=en-CA |date=December 14, 2013}}{{cite news| url=http://www.newsday.com/lifestyle/family/disney-ceo-robert-iger-helps-his-li-elementary-school-get-playground-1.5620918| title=Disney CEO Robert Iger helps his LI elementary school get playground| work =Newsday | date=July 23, 2013 |first= Beth |last=Whitehouse|access-date= April 16, 2015}} In 1973, he graduated magna cum laude from the School of Communications at Ithaca College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Television and Radio.{{cite web | title = Ithaca College Alumnus Bob Iger Named Marketwatch CEO of the Year | publisher = Ithaca College| year = 2006 | url = http://www.ithaca.edu/rhp/depts/tvr/news/334/}}

Career

Iger began his media career in 1972 as the host of Campus Probe, an Ithaca College television show. He dreamed of becoming a news anchor while he worked as a weatherman in Ithaca for five months, before shifting his career goals.{{cite web|url=https://thewaltdisneycompany.com/disney-chairman-and-ceo-robert-a-iger-enters-broadcasting-cable-hall-of-fame/|title=Disney Press Release|date=May 4, 2015|access-date=June 20, 2016}}{{cite news| url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/11/business/11iger.html| title= Is Disney's Chief Having a Cinderella Moment?| work=The New York Times | first=Brooks| last=Barnes| date=April 10, 2010|access-date= April 16, 2015}}

=American Broadcasting Company (ABC)=

In 1974, Iger joined the American Broadcasting Company (ABC).{{cite web|url=http://www.referenceforbusiness.com/biography/F-L/Iger-Robert-1951.html|title=Robert Iger biography|work=referenceforbusiness.com|access-date=July 26, 2018}}{{cite news| url=http://www.economist.com/displaystory.cfm?story_id=5442077 | newspaper=The Economist | title=Looking Beyond the Mouse | date=January 26, 2006}} His first job was performing menial labor on television sets for $150 a week (over $700, adjusted for inflation).

In 1988, Iger was the senior program executive for the Calgary Winter Olympics. The event was marred by disruptive weather and delayed events, and to fill the broadcast schedule Iger's team focused on human interest stories such as those of the Jamaican bobsled team and Eddie the Eagle. The event achieved record-high ratings for ABC, and Iger's performance under pressure caught the attention of ABC executives Daniel Burke and Thomas Murphy, who subsequently championed Iger throughout his ascent at ABC.{{Cite book|last=Iger|first=Robert|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1138608550|title=The Ride of a Lifetime: Lessons in Creative Leadership from the CEO of the Walt Disney Company|date=2019|publisher=Transworld Publishers Ltd|isbn=978-1-78763-047-5|location=London|pages=29–32|oclc=1138608550}}

In 1989, he was named head of ABC Entertainment, green lighting shows such as Twin Peaks, America's Funniest Home Videos{{cite magazine|url=https://time.com/5415019/bob-iger-disney/|title=Bob Iger|magazine= Time|accessdate=April 4, 2022}} and Cop Rock.{{Cite book|last=Iger|first=Robert|title=The Ride of a Lifetime|publisher=Random House|year=2019|isbn=9780399592096|location=New York|pages=40–43}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/03/24/arts/abc-names-its-president-of-entertainment.html|title=ABC Names Its President of Entertainment|last=Carter|first=Bill|date=March 24, 1989|work=The New York Times|access-date=December 7, 2017|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}} He was president of the ABC Network Television Group from January 1993 to 1994, and was appointed as Capital Cities/ABC senior vice president in March 1993 and executive vice president in July 1993.{{cite news|last1=Lowry|first1=Brian|title=ABC ups Iger, regroups divisions|url=https://variety.com/1993/scene/news/abc-ups-iger-regroups-divisions-108981/|access-date=May 19, 2015|work=Variety|date=July 27, 1993}} In 1994, Iger was named president and chief operating officer of ABC's corporate parent, Capital Cities/ABC.{{cite web|url=http://www.c-span.org/person/?robertiger|title=C-SPAN Biography of Mr. Robert A. Iger|publisher=C-SPAN.org|access-date=July 8, 2016}}

=The Walt Disney Company=

In 1995,{{Cite web|last=Gara|first=Antoine|title=Disney's 1995 Deal For ABC Made Buffett Billions By Marrying Mickey Mouse With SportsCenter|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/antoinegara/2017/05/23/disneys-1995-deal-for-abc-made-buffett-billions-by-marrying-mickey-mouse-with-espn/|access-date=November 9, 2020|website=Forbes|language=en}} the Walt Disney Company purchased Capital Cities/ABC and renamed it ABC, Inc., where Iger remained chairman until 1999.{{cite web|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/02/25/disney-ceo-bob-iger-steps-down-a-look-at-his-legacy.html|title=A look at Bob Iger's legacy at Disney as he steps down as CEO|work=CNBC |date=February 25, 2020 |accessdate=April 4, 2022}}

On February 25, 1999, Disney named Iger the president of Walt Disney International, the business unit that oversees Disney's international operations, as well as chairman of the ABC Group, removing him from day-to-day authority at ABC. Disney called the change a promotion for Iger.{{cite news| url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/01/25/business/disney-names-new-president-in-reshuffling.html | work=The New York Times | title=Disney Names New President In Reshuffling | first=Bernard | last=Weinraub | date=January 25, 2000 | access-date=May 22, 2010}}

Disney named Iger the president and chief operating officer (COO) on January 24, 2000, making him Disney's No. 2 executive under chairman and CEO, Michael Eisner. Disney had been without a separate president since Eisner assumed the role following the departure of Michael Ovitz in 1997, after sixteen months at Disney.{{cite news|last1=Goldsmith|first1=Jill|title=Iger tapped No. 2 as Mouse TV booms|url=https://variety.com/2000/biz/news/iger-tapped-no-2-as-mouse-tv-booms-1117765636/|access-date=June 7, 2014|work=Variety|date=January 24, 2000}}

In 2003, board members Roy E. Disney and Stanley Gold began a campaign called "save Disney" against Eisner.{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/money/media/2003-12-01-disney-words_x.htm|title=War of words erupts at Walt Disney|last=McCarthy|first=Michael|date=December 2, 2003|work=USA Today|access-date=December 17, 2009|archive-date=September 6, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080906104954/http://www.usatoday.com/money/media/2003-12-01-disney-words_x.htm|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/losangeles/stories/2004/03/22/daily57.html|title=Disney launches more anti-Eisner sentiment|website=www.bizjournals.com|access-date=November 29, 2018}} As a result, Disney began a search for the next CEO to replace Eisner. On March 13, 2005, Disney announced that Iger would succeed Michael Eisner as CEO, and Iger was placed in charge of day-to-day operations, though Eisner held the title of CEO until he resigned on September 30, 2005.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A32493-2005Mar13.html|title=Disney Chooses Successor to Chief Executive Eisner|newspaper=Washington Post|first=Frank |last=Ahrens|access-date=August 16, 2017}} In July 2005, Disney and Gold dropped the campaign and agreed to work with Iger.{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/07/08/AR2005070801789.html|title=Roy Disney, Company Resolve Their Disputes|last=Gentile|first=Gary|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=July 9, 2005|access-date=November 29, 2018|language=en-US|issn=0190-8286}}

One of Iger's first major decisions as CEO was to reassign Disney's chief strategic officer, Peter Murphy, and disband the company's Strategic Planning division.{{cite news|url-access=subscription |last1=Burt |first1=Tim |title=Disney demotes chief strategic officer |url=https://www.ft.com/content/e9791412-9ee3-11d9-82f0-00000e2511c8 |work=Financial Times |date=March 27, 2005}} It was around this time Iger started to become known as "Bob" rather than "Robert".

On January 24, 2006, under Iger's leadership, Disney announced it would acquire Pixar for $7.4 billion in an all-stock transaction.{{Cite web|url=https://money.cnn.com/2006/01/24/news/companies/disney_pixar_deal/|title=Disney buys Pixar|date= January 25, 2006|first=Paul R. |last=La Monica|website=money.cnn.com|access-date=August 16, 2017}} In the same year, Iger also re-acquired the rights to Walt Disney's first star, Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, from NBCUniversal by releasing sportscaster Al Michaels from ABC Sports to NBC Sports.{{Cite news|url=http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/12750497/how-espn-traded-al-michaels-oswald-rabbit|title=How ESPN swapped Al Michaels for a cartoon rabbit|work=ESPN.com|access-date=November 30, 2018|language=en}}

In August 2009, Iger negotiated for Disney to acquire Marvel Entertainment and its associated assets for $4 billion. By 2014, Disney had grossed more than that amount at the box office through the Marvel movies.{{cite news|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/disneys-bob-iger-on-success-of-marvel-guardians-of-the-galaxy-2014-8?r=US&IR=T|title=Bob Iger: The Marvel Brand Is On Fire|last1=Weisman|first1=Aly|date=August 6, 2014|access-date=May 21, 2016|work=Business Insider Australia}} On October 7, 2011, Disney announced that Iger would become chairman of the board, following John Pepper's retirement from the board in March 2012.{{cite press release|title=The Walt Disney Company Extends Contract to 2016 for Robert A. Iger|url=http://corporate.disney.go.com/news/corporate/2011/2011_1006_iger_sucession_plan.html|publisher=The Walt Disney Company|access-date=October 8, 2011}}

In October 2012, Iger signed a deal with filmmaker George Lucas to purchase Lucasfilm for $4 billion. As a result, Disney acquired the rights to the Star Wars multimedia franchise and Indiana Jones.{{cite news|last1=Leonard|first1=Devin|title=How Disney Bought Lucasfilm—and Its Plans for Star Wars|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2013-03-07/how-disney-bought-lucasfilm-and-its-plans-for-star-wars|access-date=May 21, 2016|publisher=Bloomberg|date=March 8, 2013|url-access=subscription}} In March 2016, Iger announced the opening of the $5.5 billion Shanghai Disney Resort later that year.{{cite news|last1=Miller|first1=David|title=Disney's Bob Iger discusses Shanghai resort, 'Star Wars' and ESPN at media conference|url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-star-wars-shanghai-disney-20160308-story.html|access-date=May 21, 2016|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=March 8, 2016}}

Iger's contract as Disney's chairman and CEO was originally planned to run until June 30, 2018.{{cite news|last1=Graser|first1=Marc|url=https://variety.com/2014/biz/news/disney-extends-bob-iger-contract-through-2018-1201319561/|title=Bob Iger to Remain Disney Chief through 2018|access-date=October 8, 2014|work=Variety|date=October 2, 2014}}{{cite news|last1=Fritz|first1=Ben|title=Disney Extends CEO Bob Iger's Contract Until 2018|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/disney-extends-bob-igers-contract-until-2018-1412273135|access-date=October 8, 2014|work=The Wall Street Journal|date=October 2, 2014|url-access=subscription}} In March 2017, Disney extended Iger's term to July 2, 2019, and said he would be a consultant for the following three years.{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-disney-ceo-idUSKBN16U23I|title=Disney extends CEO Iger's contract by a year to July 2019|date=March 23, 2017|work=Reuters|access-date=March 23, 2017}}{{cite web|last1=Kilday|first1=Gregg|title=Disney's Dilemma: Can Bob Iger Ever Find a Successor?|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/disneys-dilemma-can-bob-iger-ever-find-a-successor-989599|website=The Hollywood Reporter|date=March 29, 2017|language=en}} In December 2017, Disney extended Iger's contract through 2021.{{Cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/business/hollywood/la-fi-ct-disney-iger-extends-contract-20171214-story.html|title=Disney extends CEO Bob Iger's contract through 2021 |first1=Meg |last1=James |first2=Ryan |last2=Faughnder |website=Los Angeles Times|date=December 14, 2017|access-date=March 29, 2019}}

In July 2018 Disney and 21st Century Fox shareholders approved a deal to allow Disney to purchase Fox assets.{{Cite news|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2018/07/27/twenty-first-century-fox-and-walt-disney-company-shareholders-approve-.html|title=Disney receives shareholder approval to buy Fox assets|last=Castillo|first=Michelle|date=July 27, 2018|work=CNBC|access-date=November 30, 2018}} The deal was finalized in March 2019.{{Cite web|url=https://ew.com/movies/2019/03/19/disney-fox-merger-complete/|title=The end of an era: Disney's acquisition of 21st Century Fox is finally complete|website=EW.com|language=en|access-date=March 29, 2019|first=Nick |last=Romano }}

In April 2019, it was announced that Iger would depart from his position as CEO and chairman of Disney when his contract expired in 2021.{{cite news |last1=Tyko |first1=Kelly |last2=Keveney |first2=Bill |title=Disney CEO Robert Iger announces 2021 retirement |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2019/04/11/walt-disney-ceo-bob-iger-step-down-2021/3442748002/ |work=USA TODAY |date=April 11, 2019 |language=en}}{{cite news|url=https://www.ibtimes.com/disney-ceo-bob-iger-will-step-down-2021-succession-process-underway-2785058|title=Disney CEO Bob Iger Will Step Down By 2021, Succession Process Underway|last1=Villasanta|first1=Arthur|date=April 11, 2019|work=International Business Times}} Iger resigned from Apple's board of directors on September 10, 2019, in order to avoid a conflict of interest as Disney and Apple prepared to launch competing streaming services Disney+ and Apple TV+.{{Cite news|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/09/13/bob-iger-resigns-from-apple-board.html|title=Disney CEO Bob Iger resigns from Apple board as companies come into conflict on streaming|work=CNBC|access-date=September 13, 2019|language=en}}{{cite news |last1=Barnes |first1=Brooks |title=Iger Departs Board of Apple, Disney's New Streaming Competitor |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/13/business/iger-apple-board.html |newspaper=The New York Times |access-date=September 15, 2019 |date=September 13, 2019}}

In September 2019, Iger released his memoir The Ride of a Lifetime.{{cite web |title=The Ride of a Lifetime |url=https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/556683/the-ride-of-a-lifetime-by-robert-iger/9780399592096/ |publisher=Penguin Random House |access-date=September 22, 2019}}

In 2020, Iger announced his intention to retire. On February 25 that year, the board of directors named Bob Chapek – then-chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products – the new chief executive, while appointing Iger executive chairman (an ad hoc post) to oversee the transition.{{Cite web|url=https://thewaltdisneycompany.com/bob-chapek-named-chief-executive-officer-of-the-walt-disney-company/|title=Bob Chapek Named Chief Executive Officer of The Walt Disney Company|date=February 25, 2020|website=The Walt Disney Company|last1=Mucha|first1=Zeina|last2=Singer|first2=Lowell}}{{cite news|url=https://deadline.com/2020/02/disney-bob-chapek-ceo-replacing-bob-iger-1202868176/|title=Disney Names Bob Chapek CEO As Bob Iger's Successor; Iger Becomes Executive Chairman Through 2021 |first1=Jill|last1=Goldsmith|first2=Patrick|last2=Hipes|publisher=Deadline.com|date=February 25, 2020|access-date=February 25, 2020}} In April however, the board unexpectedly extended Iger's mandate until the end of 2021, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/12/business/media/disney-ceo-coronavirus.html |title=Bob Iger Thought He Was Leaving on Top. Now, He's Fighting for Disney's Life. |last=Smith |first=Ben |date=April 13, 2020 |work=The New York Times |access-date=April 13, 2020}}{{Cite web |title=Bob Chapek Named Chief Executive Officer of The Walt Disney Company – The Walt Disney Company |author= |work=The Walt Disney Company |date= February 25, 2020|access-date=January 18, 2022 |url= https://thewaltdisneycompany.com/bob-chapek-named-chief-executive-officer-of-the-walt-disney-company/}} On December 31, 2021, Iger stepped down and was succeeded by Susan Arnold as chair of the board.{{Cite web |title=Disney Names Susan Arnold to Succeed Bob Iger as Chair of Board |last=Chan |first=J. Clara |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date= December 2021|access-date=January 18, 2022 |url= https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/disney-susan-arnold-bob-iger-chairman-board-1235055856/}} However, on November 20, 2022, Chapek was ousted by the Disney board with Iger reinstated as CEO.{{Cite web |last=Patten |first=Dominic |date=November 21, 2022 |title=Disney Shocker! Bob Iger Back As CEO, Bob Chapek Out |url=https://deadline.com/2022/11/disney-bob-iger-returns-ceo-bob-chapek-out-1235178223/ |access-date=November 21, 2022 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}} At the time of his rejoining Disney, Iger initially agreed to hold the post for two years while looking for a successor.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-63698756 | title=Disney: Bob Iger returns to head the entertainment giant | date=November 21, 2022 | publisher=BBC News |access-date=November 21, 2022}}{{Cite magazine |date=April 13, 2023 |title=Bob Iger on Ron DeSantis, Gambling, and Making Job Cuts at Disney |url=https://time.com/6269006/bob-iger-interview-time100/ |access-date=July 1, 2023 |magazine=Time |language=en}} However, on July 12, 2023, Iger and Disney extended the contract until the end of 2026.{{Cite web |last=Delouya |first=Samantha |date=July 12, 2023 |title=Disney extends CEO Bob Iger's contract through 2026 {{!}} CNN Business |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/07/12/business/disney-bob-iger-contract/index.html |access-date=July 13, 2023 |website=CNN |language=en}}{{Cite web |last1=Jefferson |first1=David |last2=Long |first2=Mike |last3=Quadrani |first3=Alexia |date=July 12, 2023 |title=The Walt Disney Company Board Of Directors Extends Robert A. Iger's Contract As CEO Through 2026 |url=https://thewaltdisneycompany.com/the-walt-disney-company-board-of-directors-extends-robert-a-igers-contract-as-ceo-through-2026/ |access-date=July 13, 2023 |website=The Walt Disney Company |language=en-US}}

= Company boards and other activities =

On November 15, 2011, Apple Inc., led by CEO Tim Cook, named Iger to its board of directors. Iger was reportedly responsible for making Steve Jobs Disney's largest shareholder after its all-stock acquisition of Jobs' Pixar.{{Cite news|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/disney-bob-iger-apple-board-261834|title=Disney Chief Bob Iger Joins Apple Board|work=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=November 30, 2018|language=en}} In September 2019, Iger resigned from his position on the board after Apple announced the pricing and release date of Apple TV+, a subscription streaming service which would compete with Disney+ upon its launch in November 2021.{{cite news |last=Leswing |first=Kif |title=Disney CEO Bob Iger resigns from Apple board as companies come into conflict on streaming |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/09/13/bob-iger-resigns-from-apple-board.html |access-date=7 November 2023 |publisher=CNBC |date=13 September 2019}}

In October 2020, he became a director of the dairy-replacement startup Perfect Day.{{Cite news |date=October 21, 2020 |title=Disney's Bob Iger invests in animal-free dairy startup Perfect Day |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-perfect-day-bog-iger-idUSKBN2762GB |access-date=March 14, 2022}}{{Cite web |title=Bob Iger goes from managing Mickey to directing a milk replacement startup as new Perfect Day boardmember |url=https://techcrunch.com/2020/10/21/bob-iger-goes-from-managing-mickey-to-directing-a-milk-replacement-startup-as-new-perfect-day-boardmember/ |access-date=March 14, 2022 |website=TechCrunch |date=October 21, 2020 |language=en-US}}

Iger joined the board of Genies, Inc. in March 2022.{{Cite web |last=Weprin |first=Alex |date=March 14, 2022 |title=Bob Iger Getting Into the Metaverse Business |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/digital/bob-iger-avatar-metaverse-investment-1235110823/ |access-date=March 14, 2022 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}}

In July 2024, Iger and his wife, Willow Bay, agreed to take a majority stake in Angel City FC, a Los Angeles-based National Women's Soccer League team, with a $100 million investment. To avoid any conflicts of interest, Iger agreed to recuse himself from all Disney and ESPN business matters related to the women's soccer league.{{Cite news |last=James |first=Meg |date=July 17, 2024 |title=Willow Bay explains why she and Bob Iger bought Angel City FC: 'Culture-defining moment' |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/business/story/2024-07-17/willow-bay-bob-iger-buy-controlling-stake-angel-city-football-club |work=Los Angeles Times}}

Personal life

Iger has been married twice. His first marriage to Kathleen Susan Iger ended in divorce.{{cite news |url-access=limited|title=Kathleen Iger and Jarrod Cushing |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/25/fashion/weddings/kathleen-iger-and-jarrod-cushing.html |work=The New York Times |date=September 25, 2005}} They have two daughters. In 1995, Iger married journalist Willow Bay in an interfaith Jewish and Roman Catholic service in Bridgehampton, New York.{{cite news|title=Willow Bay And Robert Iger|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/10/08/style/willow-bay-and-robert-iger.html|access-date=February 13, 2014|newspaper=The New York Times|date=October 8, 1995}}

According to Forbes, Iger's estimated net worth is over $700 million in 2024.{{Cite web |last=Oberoi |first=Mohit |date=June 12, 2024 |title=Bob Iger Net Worth 2024: Building the Magic and a $700 Million Fortune |url=https://www.business2community.com/business-pages/bob-iger-net-worth-building-the-magic-and-millions-fortune |website=Business 2 Community}}

=Politics=

Iger has described himself as a political centrist. He previously identified with the Democratic Party.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/27/opinion/sway-kara-swisher-bob-iger.html?showTranscript=1|title=Disney's Former C.E.O. Gave Me the Exit Interview I Asked For|date=January 27, 2022|website=The New York Times}} In 2016, Iger switched his party registration from Democratic to independent.{{cite web |last=Rutenberg |first=Jim |title=For Disney's Iger, an Unlikely Political Turn|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/08/business/media/for-disney-chief-robert-iger-an-unlikely-political-turn.html |accessdate=October 9, 2017 |work=The New York Times|date=October 8, 2017}}

In May 2016, during a dispute over Disney Resort's low wages, Iger wrote in a Facebook post claiming that Disney had hired 11,000 new employees in the past decade at Disneyland, and 18,000 in the past 5 years in the US. Iger specifically targeted Vermont Senator, Bernie Sanders, who had been outspoken on the issue.{{cite web|url=https://money.cnn.com/2016/05/25/media/bob-iger-bernie-sanders/index.html|title=Bob Iger fires back at Bernie Sanders: 'How many jobs have you created?'|last1=Byers|first1=Dylan|date=May 25, 2016|website=CNN|access-date=June 7, 2018}} Disney settled with the Department of Labor and agreed to pay back wages the following year.{{Cite web |title=Disney reaches agreement on pay practices with US Department of Labor {{!}} U.S. Department of Labor |url=https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/whd/whd20170317 |access-date=February 14, 2022 |website=www.dol.gov}}

Iger co-chaired a fundraiser for Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign on August 22, 2016.{{cite news|title=Hillary Clinton Fundraisers Coming to Beverly Hills|url=http://bhcourier.com/beverly-hills-news-hillary-clinton-fundraisers-coming-to-beverly-hills/|access-date=August 5, 2016|work=The Beverly Hills Courier|date=August 3, 2016|archive-date=February 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225041349/https://beverlyhillscourier.com/|url-status=dead}} He was named to President-elect Trump's Strategic and Policy Forum on December 2, 2016.{{Cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/business/hollywood/la-fi-ct-bob-iger-donald-trump-20161202-story.html|title=Disney's Bob Iger named to Donald Trump's new President's Strategic and Policy Forum|date=December 2, 2016|website=Los Angeles Times}} He resigned from the Forum on June 1, 2017, out of protest after President Trump withdrew the United States from the Paris Climate Agreement.{{cite news|last1=Stedman|first1=Alex|last2=Johnson|first2=Ted|title=Disney CEO Bob Iger Resigns From Trump's Advisory Council Over Paris Accord Decision|url=https://variety.com/2017/film/news/disney-ceo-bob-iger-resigns-from-trumps-advisory-council-over-paris-accord-decision-1202451184/|access-date=June 2, 2017|work=Variety|date=June 1, 2017}}

Iger had considered running for president before and after the 2016 election as a Democrat, but ultimately decided against it.{{cite news| url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/27/opinion/sway-kara-swisher-bob-iger.html?showTranscript=1%7Ctitle=Disney%27s| title= Disney's Former C.E.O. Gave Me the Exit Interview I Asked for| work=The New York Times | first=Kara| last=Swisher| date=January 27, 2022|access-date= February 19, 2022}}

Accolades and recognition

In December 2019, Iger was named by Time as their Businessperson of the Year.{{Cite magazine|url=https://time.com/businessperson-of-the-year-2019-bob-iger/|title=Bob Iger Is Time{{'s}} 2019 Businessperson of the Year|magazine=Time|first=Belinda|last=Buscombe|date=December 11, 2019|access-date=December 11, 2019}} In 2020, he was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2019/12/tv-academy-hall-of-fame-2020-bob-iger-geraldine-laybourne-seth-macfarlane-jay-sandrich-cicely-tyson-1202799363/|title=TV Academy Hall Of Fame Adding Bob Iger, Geraldine Laybourne, Seth MacFarlane, Jay Sandrich & Cicely Tyson|first=Patrick|last=Hipes|work=Deadline Hollywood|date=December 3, 2019|access-date=December 3, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150122045320/https://deadline.com/2019/12/tv-academy-hall-of-fame-2020-bob-iger-geraldine-laybourne-seth-macfarlane-jay-sandrich-cicely-tyson-1202799363/|archive-date=January 22, 2015|url-status=live}}

In September 2022, Iger was appointed an Honorary Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE) by Queen Elizabeth II "for services to the UK/US relations".{{cite web|url= https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/honorary-british-awards-to-foreign-nationals-2022/honorary-awards-to-foreign-nationals-in-2022 |title= Honorary awards to foreign nationals in 2022|date= September 23, 2022|access-date= September 24, 2022|website=GOV.UK}}{{cite web |title=Queen's final knighthoods go to Williams and Iger |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c6p51x0lexdo |website=BBC News |date=September 26, 2022 |access-date=September 27, 2022}}

Controversies

In November 2017, Variety reported that Iger knew about a 2010 Oscar party where Pixar chief John Lasseter was seen "making out with a junior staffer", seeming to confirm anonymous allegations that Lasseter's inappropriate interactions with young women had been known to company leadership since the 1990s. One anonymous source was quoted as saying, "I know personally that Bob was aware. ... Everybody was aware. They just didn't do anything about it."{{cite web |last1=Gene |first1=Maddaus |last2=Lopez |first2=Ricardo |date=November 28, 2017 |title=Disney Faces Daunting Questions in Wake of John Lasseter, Harvey Weinstein Scandals |url=https://variety.com/2017/film/news/disney-john-lasseter-harvey-weinstein-scandals-1202624219/ |access-date=May 25, 2021 |website=Variety}}

In August 2019, Vanity Fair reported that actress Paz de la Huerta added Iger to her lawsuit against Harvey Weinstein over allegations of rape, claiming that he and previous CEO Michael Eisner "made a series of decisions that allowed a range of actions by Harvey Weinstein that unacceptably harmed certain employees".{{Cite magazine|last=Bradley|first=Laura|date=August 28, 2019|title=Disney, Bob Iger Added to Paz de la Huerta's Harvey Weinstein Lawsuit|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2019/08/paz-de-la-huerta-harvey-weinstein-lawsuit-disney-bob-iger|access-date=May 25, 2021|magazine=Vanity Fair}} Disney denied any knowledge of misconduct or settlements with victims during Weinstein's run at Miramax from 1993 to 2005.

During a July 2023 interview on CNBC, Iger criticized the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes as "not realistic". He added that the unions "are adding to the set of the challenges that this business is already facing that is, quite frankly, very disruptive."{{cite news |last1=Fang |first1=Marina |title=Disney CEO Earning About $27 Million A Year Calls Strike By Writers And Actors 'Disturbing' |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/disney-ceo-bob-iger-pay-writers-actors-strike_n_64b0255ae4b038c60cc318f4}} Iger's comments were widely criticized both inside and outside of Hollywood for being elitist and out of touch, with The Huffington Post writer Marina Fang noting Iger's $27 million annual salary that he received when rejoining Disney.

Works

{{cite book |last1=Iger |first1=Robert |title=The Ride of a Lifetime: Lessons Learned from 15 Years as CEO of the Walt Disney Company |date=September 23, 2019 |publisher=Penguin Random House |isbn=9780399592096 |oclc=1111242203 |url=https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/556683/the-ride-of-a-lifetime-by-robert-iger/9780399592096/}}