Bob Iger: Difference between revisions

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| occupation  = Media executive
| occupation  = Media executive
| known_for    = CEO of [[The Walt Disney Company]]
| known_for    = CEO of [[The Walt Disney Company]]
| title        = Chief Executive Officer of The Walt Disney Company
| title        = Chief Executive Officer, The Walt Disney Company
| employer    = The Walt Disney Company
| education    = [[Ithaca College]] (B.S.)
| spouse      = {{plainlist|
| spouse      = {{plainlist|
* {{marriage|Susan Iger|1977|1994|end=div}}
* {{marriage|Susan Iger|1977|1994|end=div}}
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}}
}}
| awards      = {{plainlist|
| awards      = {{plainlist|
* [[Time 100]]
* [[Emmy Award]]
* [[Emmy Award]]
* [[Order of the British Empire|Honorary CBE]]
}}
}}
| website      = {{URL|thewaltdisneycompany.com/leaders/robert-a-iger/}}
| website      = {{URL|https://thewaltdisneycompany.com/leaders/robert-a-iger/}}
}}
}}


'''Robert Alan Iger''' (born February 10, 1951) is an American media executive who serves as the [[chief executive officer]] (CEO) of [[The Walt Disney Company]]. Over the course of a career spanning more than five decades in the American media industry, Iger rose from an entry-level position at [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] to become one of the most consequential leaders in the history of the entertainment business. During his initial tenure as Disney's CEO from 2005 to 2020, Iger oversaw the acquisitions of [[Pixar]], [[Marvel Entertainment]], [[Lucasfilm]], and the entertainment assets of [[21st Century Fox]], transforming Disney into the world's largest media conglomerate. He expanded the company's theme park presence into East Asia and guided the launch of the [[Disney+]] streaming service. After a brief retirement, Iger returned to the CEO role in November 2022 following the dismissal of his successor, [[Bob Chapek]]. In February 2026, Disney announced that Iger would be succeeded as CEO by [[Josh D'Amaro]] on March 18, 2026, concluding one of the longest and most transformative leadership tenures in modern corporate history.<ref>{{cite news |date=2026-02-03 |title=Disney names parks boss Josh D'Amaro as new CEO to replace Bob Iger |url=https://www.cnn.com/2026/02/03/media/disney-new-ceo-josh-damaro-bob-iger |work=CNN |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
'''Robert Alan Iger''' (born February 10, 1951) is an American media executive who serves as the chief executive officer (CEO) of [[The Walt Disney Company]]. Over the course of a career spanning more than five decades in the media industry, Iger rose from a studio supervisor at a local television station to lead one of the largest entertainment conglomerates in the world. He served as president of the [[American Broadcasting Company]] (ABC) from 1994 to 1995, and as president and chief operating officer (COO) of [[Capital Cities/ABC]] from 1995 until its acquisition by Disney in 1996.<ref name="refbiz">{{cite web |title=Robert Iger 1951– Biography |url=http://www.referenceforbusiness.com/biography/F-L/Iger-Robert-1951.html |publisher=Reference for Business |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> Named president of Disney in 2000, Iger succeeded [[Michael Eisner]] as CEO in 2005, a position he held until 2020.<ref name="variety2000">{{cite news |date=2000 |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/ |work=Variety |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref><ref name="wapost">{{cite news |title=Disney Names Iger as New Chief |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A32493-2005Mar13.html |work=The Washington Post |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> During his initial 15-year tenure as CEO, Iger oversaw the acquisitions of [[Pixar]], [[Marvel Entertainment]], [[Lucasfilm]], and the entertainment assets of [[21st Century Fox]], and the company's market capitalization grew from $56 billion to $231 billion. After serving as executive chairman until his formal retirement on December 31, 2021, Iger returned to the CEO role on November 20, 2022, following the dismissal of his successor, [[Bob Chapek]]. In February 2026, Disney announced that Iger would be succeeded as CEO by [[Josh D'Amaro]] on March 18, 2026.<ref name="cnn2026">{{cite news |date=2026-02-03 |title=Disney names parks boss Josh D'Amaro as new CEO to replace Bob Iger |url=https://www.cnn.com/2026/02/03/media/disney-new-ceo-josh-damaro-bob-iger |work=CNN |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


== Early Life ==
== Early Life ==


Robert Alan Iger was born on February 10, 1951, in New York City, New York.<ref>{{cite web |title=Robert A. Iger |url=https://thewaltdisneycompany.com/leaders/robert-a-iger/ |publisher=The Walt Disney Company |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> He grew up on Long Island, where he was raised in a middle-class household. His father, Arthur L. Iger, worked as an advertising executive and later as a college professor, while his mother was a homemaker. Iger has spoken publicly about his father's struggles with depression and bipolar disorder, experiences that shaped his own outlook and resilience.
Robert Alan Iger was born on February 10, 1951, in [[New York City]], [[New York (state)|New York]].<ref name="refbiz" /> He grew up on [[Long Island]], where he attended local schools. Details regarding his parents and family background indicate a middle-class upbringing in the New York metropolitan area.<ref name="refbiz" />


Iger developed an interest in media and communications from a young age. He attended local schools on Long Island before pursuing higher education at [[Ithaca College]] in Ithaca, New York, where he studied television and radio. His early experiences in the media environment of New York City and his academic training would lay the groundwork for what became a career defined by leadership within the American broadcasting and entertainment industries.<ref>{{cite web |title=Robert Iger 1951– Biography |url=http://www.referenceforbusiness.com/biography/F-L/Iger-Robert-1951.html |publisher=Reference for Business |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
Iger developed an interest in media and broadcasting from a young age. After completing his secondary education on Long Island, he pursued higher education at [[Ithaca College]] in Ithaca, New York, where he studied television and radio.<ref name="refbiz" /> His time at Ithaca College provided him with foundational experience in the broadcasting industry that would shape his subsequent career trajectory.


== Education ==
== Education ==


Iger enrolled at [[Ithaca College]], where he earned a [[Bachelor of Science]] degree in television and radio from the Roy H. Park School of Communications. During his time at Ithaca, he gained early exposure to the technical and creative elements of broadcast production. He graduated from Ithaca College in 1973.<ref>{{cite web |title=Robert Iger 1951– Biography |url=http://www.referenceforbusiness.com/biography/F-L/Iger-Robert-1951.html |publisher=Reference for Business |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> His undergraduate training in broadcasting provided a practical foundation for his entry into the television industry, where he would begin his career shortly after graduation.
Iger attended [[Ithaca College]], where he earned a bachelor's degree in television and radio from the Roy H. Park School of Communications.<ref name="refbiz" /> His education at Ithaca College provided practical training in broadcast media, which served as a launching point for his entry into the television industry upon graduation.


== Career ==
== Career ==


=== Early Career at ABC ===
=== Early Television Career ===


Following his graduation from Ithaca College, Iger began his career in television at ABC, starting in a lower-level position. He spent nearly two decades working his way up through the ranks of the network during a period of significant change in the American broadcasting landscape. In the late 1980s, Iger's leadership capabilities drew increasing attention within ABC's corporate structure. In March 1989, he was named president of ABC Entertainment, a major milestone in his ascent within the company.<ref>{{cite news |date=1989-03-24 |title=ABC Names Its President of Entertainment |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/03/24/arts/abc-names-its-president-of-entertainment.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
Iger began his career in television in 1972 as a studio supervisor at a local cable television station in Ithaca, New York.<ref name="refbiz" /> He subsequently joined the [[American Broadcasting Company]] (ABC), where he would spend the next two and a half decades rising through the organization's ranks. At ABC, Iger held a series of progressively senior positions across the network's various divisions.


In 1993, Iger was promoted within ABC's restructured divisional hierarchy, taking on broader responsibilities across the network's operations.<ref>{{cite news |date=1993 |title=ABC Ups Iger, Regroups Divisions |url=https://variety.com/1993/scene/news/abc-ups-iger-regroups-divisions-108981/ |work=Variety |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> By 1994, he had risen to the position of president of the American Broadcasting Company, overseeing the network's programming, news, and business operations. His tenure at ABC was marked by the strengthening of the network's prime-time lineup and its sports programming, including oversight of ''[[Monday Night Football]]'' and ABC's coverage of major sporting events.
In 1989, ABC named Iger as president of ABC Entertainment, a significant promotion that placed him in charge of the network's programming strategy.<ref>{{cite news |date=1989-03-24 |title=ABC Names Its President of Entertainment |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/03/24/arts/abc-names-its-president-of-entertainment.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> In this role, Iger oversaw the network's prime-time and daytime programming schedules and was responsible for guiding ABC's content strategy during a competitive period in broadcast television.


=== Capital Cities/ABC and the Disney Acquisition ===
=== President of ABC and Capital Cities/ABC ===


In 1995, Iger was named president and chief operating officer (COO) of [[Capital Cities/ABC]], the parent company of ABC at the time. He served in this capacity during a pivotal period for the company, as Capital Cities/ABC became the target of a major acquisition by The Walt Disney Company. The merger, completed in 1996, brought ABC under the Disney corporate umbrella and marked a turning point both for Disney and for Iger's career. As a senior executive in the combined entity, Iger became one of the most influential figures within Disney's media empire.<ref>{{cite web |title=Robert Iger 1951– Biography |url=http://www.referenceforbusiness.com/biography/F-L/Iger-Robert-1951.html |publisher=Reference for Business |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
By 1993, Iger had been elevated to a broader leadership role at ABC, overseeing multiple divisions within the company as the network restructured its operations.<ref>{{cite news |date=1993 |title=ABC ups Iger, regroups divisions |url=https://variety.com/1993/scene/news/abc-ups-iger-regroups-divisions-108981/ |work=Variety |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> He was named president of ABC in 1994, and following the merger with [[Capital Cities Communications]], served as president and chief operating officer (COO) of [[Capital Cities/ABC]] from 1995.<ref name="refbiz" />


=== President of The Walt Disney Company ===
Iger's tenure at Capital Cities/ABC coincided with a transformative period in the media industry. In 1996, The Walt Disney Company acquired Capital Cities/ABC in a landmark deal, bringing the ABC television network, its owned-and-operated stations, the [[ESPN]] cable sports networks, and other media properties under the Disney corporate umbrella. Following the acquisition, Iger continued in senior leadership roles within Disney's media networks division, serving as chairman of the ABC Group and president of Walt Disney International.<ref name="refbiz" />


In January 2000, Iger was named president of The Walt Disney Company by then-CEO [[Michael Eisner]], making him the second-highest-ranking executive in the corporation.<ref>{{cite news |date=2000-01-25 |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/ |work=Variety |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> In this role, Iger oversaw Disney's day-to-day operations and served as Eisner's chief deputy during a turbulent period for the company, which included boardroom disputes, a contentious proxy fight led by [[Roy E. Disney]], and public criticism of Eisner's management.
=== Rise to Disney CEO ===


Iger emerged as the leading internal candidate to succeed Eisner, despite initial skepticism from some board members and investors who favored an external hire. His steady management style and deep knowledge of Disney's operations ultimately won him the position.
In January 2000, Iger was named president and chief operating officer of The Walt Disney Company, placing him as the second-ranking executive at the corporation behind then-CEO [[Michael Eisner]].<ref name="variety2000" /> This appointment positioned Iger as a potential successor to Eisner, though the succession question would not be resolved for several years.


=== CEO of Disney: First Tenure (2005–2020) ===
The early 2000s were a turbulent period for Disney. Eisner faced a shareholder revolt led by former board members [[Roy E. Disney]] and [[Stanley Gold]], who launched a "Save Disney" campaign criticizing Eisner's management of the company. In the midst of this internal upheaval, Disney's board of directors selected Iger to succeed Eisner as CEO, effective October 1, 2005.<ref name="wapost" /> The appointment was met with some skepticism from analysts and observers who questioned whether Iger, as Eisner's handpicked deputy, would chart a sufficiently different course for the company.<ref>{{cite news |title=Bob Iger's dilemma |url=http://www.economist.com/displaystory.cfm?story_id=5442077 |work=The Economist |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


Iger succeeded Michael Eisner as CEO of The Walt Disney Company on October 1, 2005.<ref>{{cite news |date=2005-03-14 |title=Eisner to Step Down a Year Early at Disney |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A32493-2005Mar13.html |work=The Washington Post |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=2005 |title=The incumbent |url=http://www.economist.com/displaystory.cfm?story_id=5442077 |work=The Economist |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> His appointment marked the beginning of a fifteen-year period during which Disney's market capitalization increased from approximately $56 billion to $231 billion.
=== First Tenure as CEO (2005–2020) ===


==== Acquisition Strategy ====
Iger's initial tenure as CEO of Disney was defined by a series of large-scale acquisitions that fundamentally reshaped the company's portfolio of intellectual properties and its position in the entertainment industry.


The defining feature of Iger's first tenure was a series of transformative acquisitions that reshaped the entertainment industry:
==== Acquisition of Pixar ====


* '''Pixar (2006):''' In January 2006, Disney announced the acquisition of [[Pixar Animation Studios]] for approximately $7.4 billion in an all-stock deal. The purchase brought acclaimed director [[John Lasseter]] and Pixar's creative leadership into Disney, and is credited with revitalizing [[Walt Disney Animation Studios]]. The acquisition also brought [[Steve Jobs]], Pixar's majority shareholder, onto the Disney board of directors.
One of Iger's first major strategic moves was the acquisition of [[Pixar Animation Studios]] in 2006 for approximately $7.4 billion in an all-stock transaction. The deal brought Pixar's acclaimed animation talent and technology, as well as franchises such as ''[[Toy Story]]'', ''[[Finding Nemo]]'', and ''[[The Incredibles]]'', fully under Disney's ownership. The acquisition also brought [[Steve Jobs]], Pixar's majority shareholder, onto Disney's board of directors and installed Pixar leadership, including [[John Lasseter]] and [[Ed Catmull]], at the helm of [[Walt Disney Animation Studios]]. This move was credited with revitalizing Disney's struggling in-house animation division.<ref name="refbiz" />


* '''Marvel Entertainment (2009):''' In August 2009, Disney acquired [[Marvel Entertainment]] for approximately $4 billion. The purchase gave Disney access to a vast library of comic book characters, including [[Iron Man]], [[Spider-Man]], [[Captain America]], and [[The Avengers]]. The Marvel acquisition fueled the development of the [[Marvel Cinematic Universe]], which became one of the most commercially successful film franchises in history.
==== Acquisition of Marvel Entertainment ====


* '''Lucasfilm (2012):''' In October 2012, Disney acquired [[Lucasfilm]], the entertainment company founded by [[George Lucas]], for approximately $4.06 billion. The deal gave Disney ownership of the ''[[Star Wars]]'' and ''[[Indiana Jones]]'' franchises.<ref>{{cite news |last= |first= |date=2013-03-07 |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 |work=Bloomberg Businessweek |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> Disney subsequently released a new trilogy of ''Star Wars'' films beginning with ''[[Star Wars: The Force Awakens]]'' in 2015.
In August 2009, Disney announced the acquisition of [[Marvel Entertainment]] for approximately $4 billion. The deal gave Disney ownership of Marvel's vast library of comic book characters, including [[Spider-Man]], [[Iron Man]], [[Captain America]], [[Thor (Marvel Comics)|Thor]], and the [[X-Men]], among thousands of others. The acquisition laid the groundwork for Disney to capitalize on the [[Marvel Cinematic Universe]], which would become one of the highest-grossing film franchises in cinema history.<ref name="refbiz" />


* '''21st Century Fox (2019):''' In March 2019, Disney completed its acquisition of the entertainment assets of [[21st Century Fox]] for approximately $71.3 billion. The transaction was the largest in Disney's history and brought under Disney's control such properties as 20th Century Fox's film studio, the [[FX Networks|FX]] cable channels, [[National Geographic Partners]], and Fox's stake in [[Hulu]], as well as international assets including [[Star India]].
==== Acquisition of Lucasfilm ====
 
In October 2012, Disney announced its acquisition of [[Lucasfilm]] from founder [[George Lucas]] for approximately $4.06 billion in a combination of cash and stock. The deal gave Disney ownership of the ''[[Star Wars]]'' and ''[[Indiana Jones]]'' franchises, among other properties.<ref>{{cite news |date=2013-03-07 |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 |work=Bloomberg Businessweek |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> Disney subsequently announced plans for a new trilogy of ''Star Wars'' films, the first of which, ''[[Star Wars: The Force Awakens]]'', was released in December 2015 to both critical and commercial success. The Lucasfilm acquisition also led to the development of ''Star Wars''-themed attractions at Disney's theme parks.<ref>{{cite news |last= |first= |date=2016-03-08 |title=Star Wars, Shanghai Disney |url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-star-wars-shanghai-disney-20160308-story.html |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
 
==== Acquisition of 21st Century Fox Assets ====
 
The largest acquisition of Iger's tenure came in March 2019, when Disney completed its purchase of the entertainment assets of [[21st Century Fox]] for approximately $71.3 billion. The deal brought 20th Century Fox's film and television studios, the [[FX Networks]] cable channels, [[National Geographic Partners]], Fox's international television businesses, and a controlling stake in the [[Hulu]] streaming service under Disney's ownership. The acquisition significantly expanded Disney's content library and production capabilities and positioned the company as a dominant force in both traditional and streaming media.


==== Theme Park Expansion ====
==== Theme Park Expansion ====


Under Iger's leadership, Disney expanded its theme park operations into East Asia. [[Hong Kong Disneyland Resort]] opened in 2005, and [[Shanghai Disney Resort]] opened in June 2016. The Shanghai park, in particular, represented a major strategic investment, as it gave Disney a significant physical presence in the Chinese market.<ref>{{cite news |date=2016-03-08 |title=Star Wars, Shanghai Disney |url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-star-wars-shanghai-disney-20160308-story.html |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> The development of Shanghai Disney Resort was a yearslong undertaking that involved complex negotiations with the Chinese government and represented one of the largest foreign investments in the country's entertainment sector.
Under Iger's leadership, Disney significantly expanded its theme park resort operations, particularly in East Asia. [[Hong Kong Disneyland Resort]] opened in 2005, and [[Shanghai Disney Resort]], which Iger championed as a major strategic initiative, opened in June 2016. The Shanghai resort represented one of the largest foreign investments in China's history and marked a significant expansion of Disney's international footprint.<ref>{{cite news |date=2016-03-08 |title=Star Wars, Shanghai Disney |url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-star-wars-shanghai-disney-20160308-story.html |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


==== Streaming and Direct-to-Consumer ====
==== Launch of Disney+ ====


In the latter years of his first tenure, Iger prioritized the development of Disney's direct-to-consumer streaming businesses. In November 2019, Disney launched [[Disney+]], a subscription-based streaming service that became one of the fastest-growing streaming platforms in history. Disney also increased its ownership stake in [[Hulu]] following the 21st Century Fox acquisition. The company's pivot to streaming reflected Iger's recognition that the media landscape was shifting away from traditional cable television distribution.
Iger was a central figure in Disney's push into the direct-to-consumer streaming business. In November 2019, Disney launched [[Disney+]], a subscription streaming service featuring content from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic. The service attracted millions of subscribers in its first year and signaled a major strategic shift for the company toward digital distribution. Combined with Disney's majority ownership of Hulu and the ESPN+ service, the launch of Disney+ established Disney as a major competitor in the streaming wars alongside [[Netflix]], [[Amazon Prime Video]], and others.


==== Contract Extensions ====
==== Contract Extensions ====


Iger's contract as CEO was extended multiple times during his initial tenure. In October 2014, Disney extended his contract through June 2018.<ref>{{cite news |date=2014-10-02 |title=Disney Extends Bob Iger's Contract Until 2018 |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/disney-extends-bob-igers-contract-until-2018-1412273135 |work=The Wall Street Journal |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=2014-10-02 |title=Disney Extends Bob Iger Contract Through 2018 |url=https://variety.com/2014/biz/news/disney-extends-bob-iger-contract-through-2018-1201319561/ |work=Variety |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> Subsequent extensions kept him in the role through 2020, as the Disney board sought to retain his leadership while conducting a succession search. The question of who would succeed Iger became a recurring topic in the entertainment industry and business press.<ref>{{cite news |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 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
Iger's contract as CEO was extended multiple times over the course of his tenure. In 2014, Disney extended his contract through June 2018.<ref>{{cite news |date=2014-10-02 |title=Disney extends Bob Iger contract through 2018 |url=https://variety.com/2014/biz/news/disney-extends-bob-iger-contract-through-2018-1201319561/ |work=Variety |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=2014-10-02 |title=Disney Extends Bob Iger's Contract Until 2018 |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/disney-extends-bob-igers-contract-until-2018-1412273135 |work=The Wall Street Journal |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> The question of succession became a recurring topic among analysts and the media, with reports noting the difficulty Disney faced in identifying a suitable replacement.<ref>{{cite news |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 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> His contract was further extended through 2019 and then through 2021.<ref>{{cite news |title=Disney CEO succession |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-disney-ceo-idUSKBN16U23I |work=Reuters |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


=== Executive Chairman and Retirement (2020–2021) ===
=== Executive Chairman and Retirement (2020–2021) ===


In February 2020, Iger stepped down as CEO and was succeeded by [[Bob Chapek]], who had previously served as chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products. Iger remained with the company as executive chairman, a role in which he continued to oversee the company's creative direction. His formal retirement from The Walt Disney Company took effect on December 31, 2021.
On February 25, 2020, Disney announced that Iger would step down as CEO, effective immediately, and that [[Bob Chapek]], then chairman of Disney's Parks, Experiences and Products division, would succeed him. Iger remained with the company as executive chairman, overseeing creative endeavors and the board of directors, through the end of 2021. His formal retirement from The Walt Disney Company took effect on December 31, 2021.<ref name="refbiz" />


=== Return as CEO (2022–2026) ===
=== Return as CEO (2022–2026) ===


On November 20, 2022, Disney's board of directors dismissed Bob Chapek as CEO and asked Iger to return to the role. Chapek's tenure had been marked by internal tensions, declining employee morale, and public controversies, including a dispute with the state of Florida over the company's response to the [[Parental Rights in Education Act]]. Iger agreed to return, initially on a two-year contract.
On November 20, 2022, Disney's board of directors announced that Iger would return to the company as CEO, replacing Chapek, who was dismissed. The board cited the need for experienced leadership during a challenging period for the company, which was facing declining stock performance, losses in its streaming business, and internal organizational issues. In July 2023, Disney renewed Iger's contract through 2026.<ref name="cnn2026" />


In July 2023, Disney renewed Iger's contract, extending it until 2026. During his second stint as CEO, Iger undertook a broad restructuring of Disney's operations, including significant cost-cutting measures, layoffs, and a renewed emphasis on profitability in the company's streaming division.
During his second tenure, Iger undertook a significant restructuring of Disney's operations, implemented cost-cutting measures, and refocused the company's strategy. In February 2026, Disney announced that Iger's successor would be [[Josh D'Amaro]], the chairman of Disney's Parks, Experiences and Products division, with the transition scheduled for March 18, 2026.<ref name="cnn2026" /> Reports indicated that Iger had told associates he planned to step down before his contract expired.<ref>{{cite news |date=2026-02 |title=Iger Has Told Associates He Plans to Leave CEO Role Before Contract Expires |url=https://www.wsj.com/business/media/iger-has-told-associates-he-plans-to-leave-ceo-role-before-contract-expires-35406a7b?gaa_at=eafs&gaa_n=AWEtsqfBDy0nXVWoMzEmoMJUqGtVoQsm6jEMk19htWS1VVLwAcJ18kZM2fwZ&gaa_ts=699cf6ad&gaa_sig=AKxzi2xihwyR9uKUMO3hyP8HcWzg7Jpa_-GdQf28AsulDJ7Mu_dmDs3dDN63SHvaJegy9QIKSO7y4PNMkeQxUA%3D%3D |work=The Wall Street Journal |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


In early 2026, reports indicated that Iger had told associates he planned to depart the CEO role before his contract expired.<ref>{{cite news |title=Iger Has Told Associates He Plans to Leave CEO Role Before Contract Expires |url=https://www.wsj.com/business/media/iger-has-told-associates-he-plans-to-leave-ceo-role-before-contract-expires-35406a7b |work=The Wall Street Journal |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> On February 3, 2026, Disney announced that Josh D'Amaro, the chairman of Disney Experiences, would succeed Iger as CEO on March 18, 2026.<ref>{{cite news |date=2026-02-03 |title=Disney names parks boss Josh D'Amaro as new CEO to replace Bob Iger |url=https://www.cnn.com/2026/02/03/media/disney-new-ceo-josh-damaro-bob-iger |work=CNN |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> The announcement prompted commentary from investors and media analysts about the company's future direction. Activist investor [[Nelson Peltz]] publicly accused Iger of influencing the succession plan to retain power within the company.<ref>{{cite news |date=2026-02 |title=Nelson Peltz Accuses Bob Iger of Backing Josh D'Amaro as CEO to Retain Power at Disney |url=https://variety.com/2026/film/news/nelson-peltz-accuses-bob-iger-josh-damaro-disney-1236651272/ |work=Variety |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
The selection of D'Amaro drew criticism from activist investor [[Nelson Peltz]], who accused Iger of manipulating the succession plan to retain influence at the company.<ref>{{cite news |date=2026-02 |title=Nelson Peltz Accuses Bob Iger of Backing Josh D'Amaro as CEO to Retain Power at Disney |url=https://variety.com/2026/film/news/nelson-peltz-accuses-bob-iger-josh-damaro-disney-1236651272/ |work=Variety |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


During his final weeks as CEO, Iger continued to oversee major strategic initiatives, including a content partnership between Disney and [[OpenAI]] involving OpenAI's video generation tool [[Sora (AI)|Sora]], under which AI-generated videos would appear on Disney+.<ref>{{cite news |date=2026-02 |title=Disney's OpenAI Video Pact Will Not Affect Its Other Programming, CEO Bob Iger Says |url=https://deadline.com/2026/02/disney-openai-sora-video-bob-iger-1236705948/ |work=Deadline Hollywood |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
During the final months of his second tenure, Iger also oversaw Disney's partnership with [[OpenAI]] to integrate AI-generated video content via OpenAI's Sora tool into the Disney+ platform, stating that the arrangement would not affect Disney's other programming.<ref>{{cite news |date=2026-02 |title=Disney's OpenAI Video Pact Will Not Affect Its Other Programming, CEO Bob Iger Says |url=https://deadline.com/2026/02/disney-openai-sora-video-bob-iger-1236705948/ |work=Deadline Hollywood |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


As of February 2026, Iger was also reported to be under consideration as a potential replacement for Casey Wasserman as chair of the [[2028 Summer Olympics|LA28 Olympic Games]] organizing committee.<ref>{{cite news |date=2026-02-23 |title=Report: Bob Iger floated as potential replacement for Casey Wasserman as LA28 chair |url=https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/2026/02/23/report-bob-iger-floated-as-potential-replacement-for-casey-wasserman-as-la28-chair/ |work=Sports Business Journal |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
As of February 2026, Iger has also been floated as a potential replacement for [[Casey Wasserman]] as chair of the [[2028 Summer Olympics|LA28 Olympic]] organizing committee.<ref>{{cite news |date=2026-02-23 |title=Report: Bob Iger floated as potential replacement for Casey Wasserman as LA28 chair |url=https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/2026/02/23/report-bob-iger-floated-as-potential-replacement-for-casey-wasserman-as-la28-chair/ |work=Sports Business Journal |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


=== Political Involvement ===
=== Political Activities ===


While Iger has generally maintained a nonpartisan public posture, he has been involved in political activities on several occasions. In 2017, he resigned from President [[Donald Trump]]'s business advisory council in response to the Trump administration's decision to withdraw the United States from the [[Paris Agreement]] on climate change.<ref>{{cite news |date=2017 |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/ |work=Variety |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> He was also reported to have hosted fundraisers for political candidates, including [[Hillary Clinton]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Hillary Clinton Fundraisers Coming to Beverly Hills |url=http://bhcourier.com/beverly-hills-news-hillary-clinton-fundraisers-coming-to-beverly-hills/ |publisher=Beverly Hills Courier |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> In 2019, Iger briefly explored the possibility of running for [[President of the United States]] before deciding against it, citing the demands of the 21st Century Fox acquisition.
In June 2017, Iger resigned from President [[Donald Trump]]'s business advisory council following the Trump administration's decision to withdraw the United States from the [[Paris Agreement]] on climate change.<ref>{{cite news |date=2017-06-01 |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/ |work=Variety |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> Iger had previously been reported as a supporter of [[Hillary Clinton]]'s presidential campaigns, hosting fundraising events in [[Beverly Hills, California]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Hillary Clinton Fundraisers Coming to Beverly Hills |url=http://bhcourier.com/beverly-hills-news-hillary-clinton-fundraisers-coming-to-beverly-hills/ |work=Beverly Hills Courier |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


== Personal Life ==
== Personal Life ==


Iger married Susan Iger in 1977; the couple divorced in 1994. They have two daughters together, including Kathleen Iger, whose 2005 wedding was reported in ''The New York Times''.<ref>{{cite news |date=2005-09-25 |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 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
Iger was married to his first wife, Susan Iger, from 1977 until their divorce in 1994. The couple have two daughters together, including Kathleen Iger, whose 2005 wedding was reported in ''The New York Times''.<ref>{{cite news |date=2005-09-25 |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 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
 
In 1995, Iger married [[Willow Bay]], an American journalist, television anchor, and academic who later became the dean of the [[USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism]]. Their marriage was reported in ''The New York Times''.<ref>{{cite news |date=1995-10-08 |title=Willow Bay and Robert Iger |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/10/08/style/willow-bay-and-robert-iger.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> Iger and Bay have two children together.


Iger has maintained a residence in the Los Angeles area throughout his tenure at Disney. He is known for his early morning routine, which includes waking before dawn for exercise, a habit he has discussed publicly in interviews and in his memoir, ''The Ride of a Lifetime: Lessons Learned from 15 Years as CEO of The Walt Disney Company'', published in 2019.
In 1995, Iger married [[Willow Bay]], a journalist and television personality who later became dean of the [[USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism]]. Their wedding was reported in ''The New York Times''.<ref>{{cite news |date=1995-10-08 |title=Willow Bay and Robert Iger |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/10/08/style/willow-bay-and-robert-iger.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref> Iger and Bay have two sons together.


== Recognition ==
== Recognition ==


Throughout his career, Iger has received numerous awards and honors in recognition of his leadership in the media and entertainment industry. He has been the recipient of an [[Emmy Award]] and was awarded an honorary [[Commander of the Order of the British Empire]] (CBE) by the British government for his contributions to the UK entertainment industry.
During his career, Iger has received numerous awards and honors for his leadership in the media industry. He has been named to the ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' 100 list of the most influential people in the world on multiple occasions. He has also received [[Emmy Award]] recognition for his contributions to the television industry.


Iger has been named to ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' magazine's list of the 100 most influential people in the world on multiple occasions. He has also been recognized by various industry organizations and publications, including ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'', ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]'', and ''[[Forbes]]'', for his role in shaping the modern entertainment landscape.
Iger's acquisitions strategy at Disney — bringing Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm, and 21st Century Fox under the Disney corporate umbrella — has been the subject of extensive analysis and commentary in the business and entertainment press. During his initial 15-year tenure as CEO, Disney's market capitalization increased from approximately $56 billion to $231 billion, a metric frequently cited in evaluations of his stewardship of the company.<ref name="refbiz" />


His memoir, ''The Ride of a Lifetime'', was published in September 2019 and became a bestseller. In the book, Iger outlined his management philosophy, recounted the major acquisitions that defined his tenure, and reflected on the leadership principles he developed over the course of his career.
His appearances have been documented on C-SPAN, where he has participated in various public events and discussions related to the media industry and business leadership.<ref>{{cite web |title=Robert Iger |url=http://www.c-span.org/person/?robertiger |publisher=C-SPAN |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
 
Iger has served on the boards of several organizations outside of Disney, including a period of service on the board of [[Apple Inc.]], a position he held by virtue of Disney's close relationship with Steve Jobs and the Pixar acquisition. He resigned from Apple's board in September 2019 ahead of the launch of [[Apple TV+]], which competed directly with Disney+.


== Legacy ==
== Legacy ==


Iger's tenure at The Walt Disney Company is defined by the transformation of the company from a major media conglomerate into the largest entertainment company in the world by revenue and market capitalization. Under his leadership, Disney's market capitalization grew from approximately $56 billion in 2005 to roughly $231 billion by the end of his first stint as CEO in 2020.
Iger's tenure at Disney reshaped the company from a media conglomerate reliant primarily on its legacy animation and theme park businesses into a diversified entertainment powerhouse with dominant positions in film, television, streaming, and live entertainment. The four major acquisitions he led — Pixar (2006), Marvel Entertainment (2009), Lucasfilm (2012), and 21st Century Fox (2019) — collectively cost approximately $86.8 billion and brought some of the most valuable intellectual properties in entertainment under a single corporate roof.
 
The acquisition strategy that Iger pursued—bringing Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm, and 21st Century Fox under the Disney umbrella—fundamentally altered the competitive landscape of Hollywood. By consolidating major intellectual properties within a single corporate entity, Iger created a content ecosystem that extended across film, television, streaming, theme parks, consumer products, and live entertainment. The branded approach to film distribution, in which Disney's various studios (Walt Disney Pictures, Pixar, Marvel Studios, Lucasfilm, and 20th Century Studios) operated as distinct labels with their own identities, became a model studied by competitors.
 
His expansion of Disney's theme park operations into China through Shanghai Disney Resort represented a significant milestone in the globalization of the Disney brand. The park became one of the most visited theme parks in the world within its first years of operation.


The launch of Disney+ in 2019 positioned Disney as a major player in the streaming wars, challenging established platforms such as [[Netflix]]. The service accumulated tens of millions of subscribers within months of its launch and became a central pillar of Disney's long-term business strategy.
The transition to streaming under Iger's direction, culminating in the launch of Disney+ in 2019, represented a fundamental shift in Disney's business model and a recognition of the changing landscape of media consumption. His decision to return as CEO in 2022, after the brief and turbulent tenure of his successor Bob Chapek, underscored both the challenges of leadership succession at major corporations and Iger's centrality to Disney's identity and strategy during the 21st century.


Iger's return to Disney in 2022, after a brief retirement, underscored the degree to which his leadership was viewed as essential to the company's stability and strategic direction. His second tenure focused on restructuring, cost discipline, and preparing the company for a leadership transition. With his departure scheduled for March 2026, the question of how Disney will perform without Iger at the helm remains a subject of significant interest among investors, industry analysts, and entertainment observers.<ref>{{cite web |title=Disney Braces for Major Turmoil as New CEO Steps Into the Spotlight |url=https://insidethemagic.net/2026/02/disney-braces-for-major-turmoil-as-new-ceo-steps-into-the-spotlight-sb1/ |publisher=Inside the Magic |date=2026-02 |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=2026-02 |title=Bob Iger once fought to keep control at Disney. This time, he's stepping aside early. |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/why-bob-iger-stepped-down-early-josh-damaro-disney-ceo-2026-2 |work=Business Insider |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>
As Iger prepares to hand the CEO role to Josh D'Amaro in March 2026, his departure marks the end of an era in which a single executive's strategic vision guided Disney through some of the most significant transformations in the company's nearly century-long history.<ref name="cnn2026" /><ref>{{cite news |date=2026-02 |title=Bob Iger once fought to keep control at Disney. This time, he's stepping aside early. |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/why-bob-iger-stepped-down-early-josh-damaro-disney-ceo-2026-2 |work=Business Insider |access-date=2026-02-23}}</ref>


== References ==
== References ==
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Latest revision as of 01:45, 24 February 2026

Bob Iger
BornRobert Alan Iger
10 2, 1951
BirthplaceNew York City, New York, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
OccupationMedia executive
TitleChief Executive Officer, The Walt Disney Company
Known forCEO of The Walt Disney Company
Spouse(s)Template:Plainlist
AwardsTemplate:Plainlist
Website[https://thewaltdisneycompany.com/leaders/robert-a-iger/ Official site]

Robert Alan Iger (born February 10, 1951) is an American media executive who serves as the chief executive officer (CEO) of The Walt Disney Company. Over the course of a career spanning more than five decades in the media industry, Iger rose from a studio supervisor at a local television station to lead one of the largest entertainment conglomerates in the world. He served as president of the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) from 1994 to 1995, and as president and chief operating officer (COO) of Capital Cities/ABC from 1995 until its acquisition by Disney in 1996.[1] Named president of Disney in 2000, Iger succeeded Michael Eisner as CEO in 2005, a position he held until 2020.[2][3] During his initial 15-year tenure as CEO, Iger oversaw the acquisitions of Pixar, Marvel Entertainment, Lucasfilm, and the entertainment assets of 21st Century Fox, and the company's market capitalization grew from $56 billion to $231 billion. After serving as executive chairman until his formal retirement on December 31, 2021, Iger returned to the CEO role on November 20, 2022, following the dismissal of his successor, Bob Chapek. In February 2026, Disney announced that Iger would be succeeded as CEO by Josh D'Amaro on March 18, 2026.[4]

Early Life

Robert Alan Iger was born on February 10, 1951, in New York City, New York.[1] He grew up on Long Island, where he attended local schools. Details regarding his parents and family background indicate a middle-class upbringing in the New York metropolitan area.[1]

Iger developed an interest in media and broadcasting from a young age. After completing his secondary education on Long Island, he pursued higher education at Ithaca College in Ithaca, New York, where he studied television and radio.[1] His time at Ithaca College provided him with foundational experience in the broadcasting industry that would shape his subsequent career trajectory.

Education

Iger attended Ithaca College, where he earned a bachelor's degree in television and radio from the Roy H. Park School of Communications.[1] His education at Ithaca College provided practical training in broadcast media, which served as a launching point for his entry into the television industry upon graduation.

Career

Early Television Career

Iger began his career in television in 1972 as a studio supervisor at a local cable television station in Ithaca, New York.[1] He subsequently joined the American Broadcasting Company (ABC), where he would spend the next two and a half decades rising through the organization's ranks. At ABC, Iger held a series of progressively senior positions across the network's various divisions.

In 1989, ABC named Iger as president of ABC Entertainment, a significant promotion that placed him in charge of the network's programming strategy.[5] In this role, Iger oversaw the network's prime-time and daytime programming schedules and was responsible for guiding ABC's content strategy during a competitive period in broadcast television.

President of ABC and Capital Cities/ABC

By 1993, Iger had been elevated to a broader leadership role at ABC, overseeing multiple divisions within the company as the network restructured its operations.[6] He was named president of ABC in 1994, and following the merger with Capital Cities Communications, served as president and chief operating officer (COO) of Capital Cities/ABC from 1995.[1]

Iger's tenure at Capital Cities/ABC coincided with a transformative period in the media industry. In 1996, The Walt Disney Company acquired Capital Cities/ABC in a landmark deal, bringing the ABC television network, its owned-and-operated stations, the ESPN cable sports networks, and other media properties under the Disney corporate umbrella. Following the acquisition, Iger continued in senior leadership roles within Disney's media networks division, serving as chairman of the ABC Group and president of Walt Disney International.[1]

Rise to Disney CEO

In January 2000, Iger was named president and chief operating officer of The Walt Disney Company, placing him as the second-ranking executive at the corporation behind then-CEO Michael Eisner.[2] This appointment positioned Iger as a potential successor to Eisner, though the succession question would not be resolved for several years.

The early 2000s were a turbulent period for Disney. Eisner faced a shareholder revolt led by former board members Roy E. Disney and Stanley Gold, who launched a "Save Disney" campaign criticizing Eisner's management of the company. In the midst of this internal upheaval, Disney's board of directors selected Iger to succeed Eisner as CEO, effective October 1, 2005.[3] The appointment was met with some skepticism from analysts and observers who questioned whether Iger, as Eisner's handpicked deputy, would chart a sufficiently different course for the company.[7]

First Tenure as CEO (2005–2020)

Iger's initial tenure as CEO of Disney was defined by a series of large-scale acquisitions that fundamentally reshaped the company's portfolio of intellectual properties and its position in the entertainment industry.

Acquisition of Pixar

One of Iger's first major strategic moves was the acquisition of Pixar Animation Studios in 2006 for approximately $7.4 billion in an all-stock transaction. The deal brought Pixar's acclaimed animation talent and technology, as well as franchises such as Toy Story, Finding Nemo, and The Incredibles, fully under Disney's ownership. The acquisition also brought Steve Jobs, Pixar's majority shareholder, onto Disney's board of directors and installed Pixar leadership, including John Lasseter and Ed Catmull, at the helm of Walt Disney Animation Studios. This move was credited with revitalizing Disney's struggling in-house animation division.[1]

Acquisition of Marvel Entertainment

In August 2009, Disney announced the acquisition of Marvel Entertainment for approximately $4 billion. The deal gave Disney ownership of Marvel's vast library of comic book characters, including Spider-Man, Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, and the X-Men, among thousands of others. The acquisition laid the groundwork for Disney to capitalize on the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which would become one of the highest-grossing film franchises in cinema history.[1]

Acquisition of Lucasfilm

In October 2012, Disney announced its acquisition of Lucasfilm from founder George Lucas for approximately $4.06 billion in a combination of cash and stock. The deal gave Disney ownership of the Star Wars and Indiana Jones franchises, among other properties.[8] Disney subsequently announced plans for a new trilogy of Star Wars films, the first of which, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, was released in December 2015 to both critical and commercial success. The Lucasfilm acquisition also led to the development of Star Wars-themed attractions at Disney's theme parks.[9]

Acquisition of 21st Century Fox Assets

The largest acquisition of Iger's tenure came in March 2019, when Disney completed its purchase of the entertainment assets of 21st Century Fox for approximately $71.3 billion. The deal brought 20th Century Fox's film and television studios, the FX Networks cable channels, National Geographic Partners, Fox's international television businesses, and a controlling stake in the Hulu streaming service under Disney's ownership. The acquisition significantly expanded Disney's content library and production capabilities and positioned the company as a dominant force in both traditional and streaming media.

Theme Park Expansion

Under Iger's leadership, Disney significantly expanded its theme park resort operations, particularly in East Asia. Hong Kong Disneyland Resort opened in 2005, and Shanghai Disney Resort, which Iger championed as a major strategic initiative, opened in June 2016. The Shanghai resort represented one of the largest foreign investments in China's history and marked a significant expansion of Disney's international footprint.[10]

Launch of Disney+

Iger was a central figure in Disney's push into the direct-to-consumer streaming business. In November 2019, Disney launched Disney+, a subscription streaming service featuring content from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic. The service attracted millions of subscribers in its first year and signaled a major strategic shift for the company toward digital distribution. Combined with Disney's majority ownership of Hulu and the ESPN+ service, the launch of Disney+ established Disney as a major competitor in the streaming wars alongside Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and others.

Contract Extensions

Iger's contract as CEO was extended multiple times over the course of his tenure. In 2014, Disney extended his contract through June 2018.[11][12] The question of succession became a recurring topic among analysts and the media, with reports noting the difficulty Disney faced in identifying a suitable replacement.[13] His contract was further extended through 2019 and then through 2021.[14]

Executive Chairman and Retirement (2020–2021)

On February 25, 2020, Disney announced that Iger would step down as CEO, effective immediately, and that Bob Chapek, then chairman of Disney's Parks, Experiences and Products division, would succeed him. Iger remained with the company as executive chairman, overseeing creative endeavors and the board of directors, through the end of 2021. His formal retirement from The Walt Disney Company took effect on December 31, 2021.[1]

Return as CEO (2022–2026)

On November 20, 2022, Disney's board of directors announced that Iger would return to the company as CEO, replacing Chapek, who was dismissed. The board cited the need for experienced leadership during a challenging period for the company, which was facing declining stock performance, losses in its streaming business, and internal organizational issues. In July 2023, Disney renewed Iger's contract through 2026.[4]

During his second tenure, Iger undertook a significant restructuring of Disney's operations, implemented cost-cutting measures, and refocused the company's strategy. In February 2026, Disney announced that Iger's successor would be Josh D'Amaro, the chairman of Disney's Parks, Experiences and Products division, with the transition scheduled for March 18, 2026.[4] Reports indicated that Iger had told associates he planned to step down before his contract expired.[15]

The selection of D'Amaro drew criticism from activist investor Nelson Peltz, who accused Iger of manipulating the succession plan to retain influence at the company.[16]

During the final months of his second tenure, Iger also oversaw Disney's partnership with OpenAI to integrate AI-generated video content via OpenAI's Sora tool into the Disney+ platform, stating that the arrangement would not affect Disney's other programming.[17]

As of February 2026, Iger has also been floated as a potential replacement for Casey Wasserman as chair of the LA28 Olympic organizing committee.[18]

Political Activities

In June 2017, Iger resigned from President Donald Trump's business advisory council following the Trump administration's decision to withdraw the United States from the Paris Agreement on climate change.[19] Iger had previously been reported as a supporter of Hillary Clinton's presidential campaigns, hosting fundraising events in Beverly Hills, California.[20]

Personal Life

Iger was married to his first wife, Susan Iger, from 1977 until their divorce in 1994. The couple have two daughters together, including Kathleen Iger, whose 2005 wedding was reported in The New York Times.[21]

In 1995, Iger married Willow Bay, a journalist and television personality who later became dean of the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism. Their wedding was reported in The New York Times.[22] Iger and Bay have two sons together.

Recognition

During his career, Iger has received numerous awards and honors for his leadership in the media industry. He has been named to the Time 100 list of the most influential people in the world on multiple occasions. He has also received Emmy Award recognition for his contributions to the television industry.

Iger's acquisitions strategy at Disney — bringing Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm, and 21st Century Fox under the Disney corporate umbrella — has been the subject of extensive analysis and commentary in the business and entertainment press. During his initial 15-year tenure as CEO, Disney's market capitalization increased from approximately $56 billion to $231 billion, a metric frequently cited in evaluations of his stewardship of the company.[1]

His appearances have been documented on C-SPAN, where he has participated in various public events and discussions related to the media industry and business leadership.[23]

Legacy

Iger's tenure at Disney reshaped the company from a media conglomerate reliant primarily on its legacy animation and theme park businesses into a diversified entertainment powerhouse with dominant positions in film, television, streaming, and live entertainment. The four major acquisitions he led — Pixar (2006), Marvel Entertainment (2009), Lucasfilm (2012), and 21st Century Fox (2019) — collectively cost approximately $86.8 billion and brought some of the most valuable intellectual properties in entertainment under a single corporate roof.

The transition to streaming under Iger's direction, culminating in the launch of Disney+ in 2019, represented a fundamental shift in Disney's business model and a recognition of the changing landscape of media consumption. His decision to return as CEO in 2022, after the brief and turbulent tenure of his successor Bob Chapek, underscored both the challenges of leadership succession at major corporations and Iger's centrality to Disney's identity and strategy during the 21st century.

As Iger prepares to hand the CEO role to Josh D'Amaro in March 2026, his departure marks the end of an era in which a single executive's strategic vision guided Disney through some of the most significant transformations in the company's nearly century-long history.[4][24]

References

  1. ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 "Robert Iger 1951– Biography".Reference for Business.http://www.referenceforbusiness.com/biography/F-L/Iger-Robert-1951.html.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Iger tapped No. 2 as Mouse TV booms".Variety.2000.https://variety.com/2000/biz/news/iger-tapped-no-2-as-mouse-tv-booms-1117765636/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Disney Names Iger as New Chief".The Washington Post.https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A32493-2005Mar13.html.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 "Disney names parks boss Josh D'Amaro as new CEO to replace Bob Iger".CNN.2026-02-03.https://www.cnn.com/2026/02/03/media/disney-new-ceo-josh-damaro-bob-iger.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  5. ↑ "ABC Names Its President of Entertainment".The New York Times.1989-03-24.https://www.nytimes.com/1989/03/24/arts/abc-names-its-president-of-entertainment.html.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  6. ↑ "ABC ups Iger, regroups divisions".Variety.1993.https://variety.com/1993/scene/news/abc-ups-iger-regroups-divisions-108981/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  7. ↑ "Bob Iger's dilemma".The Economist.http://www.economist.com/displaystory.cfm?story_id=5442077.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  8. ↑ "How Disney Bought Lucasfilm—And Its Plans for 'Star Wars'".Bloomberg Businessweek.2013-03-07.https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2013-03-07/how-disney-bought-lucasfilm-and-its-plans-for-star-wars.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  9. ↑ "Star Wars, Shanghai Disney".Los Angeles Times.2016-03-08.http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-star-wars-shanghai-disney-20160308-story.html.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  10. ↑ "Star Wars, Shanghai Disney".Los Angeles Times.2016-03-08.http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-star-wars-shanghai-disney-20160308-story.html.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  11. ↑ "Disney extends Bob Iger contract through 2018".Variety.2014-10-02.https://variety.com/2014/biz/news/disney-extends-bob-iger-contract-through-2018-1201319561/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  12. ↑ "Disney Extends Bob Iger's Contract Until 2018".The Wall Street Journal.2014-10-02.https://www.wsj.com/articles/disney-extends-bob-igers-contract-until-2018-1412273135.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  13. ↑ "Disney's Dilemma: Can Bob Iger Ever Find a Successor?".The Hollywood Reporter.http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/disneys-dilemma-can-bob-iger-ever-find-a-successor-989599.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  14. ↑ "Disney CEO succession".Reuters.https://www.reuters.com/article/us-disney-ceo-idUSKBN16U23I.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  15. ↑ "Iger Has Told Associates He Plans to Leave CEO Role Before Contract Expires".The Wall Street Journal.2026-02.https://www.wsj.com/business/media/iger-has-told-associates-he-plans-to-leave-ceo-role-before-contract-expires-35406a7b?gaa_at=eafs&gaa_n=AWEtsqfBDy0nXVWoMzEmoMJUqGtVoQsm6jEMk19htWS1VVLwAcJ18kZM2fwZ&gaa_ts=699cf6ad&gaa_sig=AKxzi2xihwyR9uKUMO3hyP8HcWzg7Jpa_-GdQf28AsulDJ7Mu_dmDs3dDN63SHvaJegy9QIKSO7y4PNMkeQxUA%3D%3D.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  16. ↑ "Nelson Peltz Accuses Bob Iger of Backing Josh D'Amaro as CEO to Retain Power at Disney".Variety.2026-02.https://variety.com/2026/film/news/nelson-peltz-accuses-bob-iger-josh-damaro-disney-1236651272/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  17. ↑ "Disney's OpenAI Video Pact Will Not Affect Its Other Programming, CEO Bob Iger Says".Deadline Hollywood.2026-02.https://deadline.com/2026/02/disney-openai-sora-video-bob-iger-1236705948/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  18. ↑ "Report: Bob Iger floated as potential replacement for Casey Wasserman as LA28 chair".Sports Business Journal.2026-02-23.https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/2026/02/23/report-bob-iger-floated-as-potential-replacement-for-casey-wasserman-as-la28-chair/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  19. ↑ "Disney CEO Bob Iger Resigns From Trump's Advisory Council Over Paris Accord Decision".Variety.2017-06-01.https://variety.com/2017/film/news/disney-ceo-bob-iger-resigns-from-trumps-advisory-council-over-paris-accord-decision-1202451184/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  20. ↑ "Hillary Clinton Fundraisers Coming to Beverly Hills".Beverly Hills Courier.http://bhcourier.com/beverly-hills-news-hillary-clinton-fundraisers-coming-to-beverly-hills/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  21. ↑ "Kathleen Iger and Jarrod Cushing".The New York Times.2005-09-25.https://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/25/fashion/weddings/kathleen-iger-and-jarrod-cushing.html.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  22. ↑ "Willow Bay and Robert Iger".The New York Times.1995-10-08.https://www.nytimes.com/1995/10/08/style/willow-bay-and-robert-iger.html.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  23. ↑ "Robert Iger".C-SPAN.http://www.c-span.org/person/?robertiger.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  24. ↑ "Bob Iger once fought to keep control at Disney. This time, he's stepping aside early.".Business Insider.2026-02.https://www.businessinsider.com/why-bob-iger-stepped-down-early-josh-damaro-disney-ceo-2026-2.Retrieved 2026-02-23.

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