Bob Iger

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Bob Iger
BornRobert Alan Iger
10 2, 1951
BirthplaceNew York City, New York, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
OccupationMedia executive
TitleChief Executive Officer of The Walt Disney Company
EmployerThe Walt Disney Company
Known forCEO of The Walt Disney Company
EducationIthaca College (B.S.)
Spouse(s)Template:Plainlist
AwardsTemplate:Plainlist
Website[[thewaltdisneycompany.com/leaders/robert-a-iger/ 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 American media industry, Iger rose from an entry-level position at 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.[1]

Early Life

Robert Alan Iger was born on February 10, 1951, in New York City, New York.[2] 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.

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.[3]

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.[4] 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.

Career

Early Career at ABC

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.[5]

In 1993, Iger was promoted within ABC's restructured divisional hierarchy, taking on broader responsibilities across the network's operations.[6] 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.

Capital Cities/ABC and the Disney Acquisition

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.[7]

President of The Walt Disney Company

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.[8] 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.

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.

CEO of Disney: First Tenure (2005–2020)

Iger succeeded Michael Eisner as CEO of The Walt Disney Company on October 1, 2005.[9][10] His appointment marked the beginning of a fifteen-year period during which Disney's market capitalization increased from approximately $56 billion to $231 billion.

Acquisition Strategy

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

  • 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.
  • 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 cable channels, National Geographic Partners, and Fox's stake in Hulu, as well as international assets including Star India.

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.[12] 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.

Streaming and Direct-to-Consumer

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.

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.[13][14] 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.[15]

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.

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.

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.

In early 2026, reports indicated that Iger had told associates he planned to depart the CEO role before his contract expired.[16] On February 3, 2026, Disney announced that Josh D'Amaro, the chairman of Disney Experiences, would succeed Iger as CEO on March 18, 2026.[17] 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.[18]

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, under which AI-generated videos would appear on Disney+.[19]

As of February 2026, Iger was also reported to be under consideration as a potential replacement for Casey Wasserman as chair of the LA28 Olympic Games organizing committee.[20]

Political Involvement

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.[21] He was also reported to have hosted fundraisers for political candidates, including Hillary Clinton.[22] 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.

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.[23]

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.[24] 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.

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.

Iger has been named to 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, The Hollywood Reporter, and Forbes, for his role in shaping the modern entertainment landscape.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.[25][26]

References

  1. ↑ "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.
  2. ↑ "Robert A. Iger".The Walt Disney Company.https://thewaltdisneycompany.com/leaders/robert-a-iger/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  3. ↑ "Robert Iger 1951– Biography".Reference for Business.http://www.referenceforbusiness.com/biography/F-L/Iger-Robert-1951.html.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  4. ↑ "Robert Iger 1951– Biography".Reference for Business.http://www.referenceforbusiness.com/biography/F-L/Iger-Robert-1951.html.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. ↑ "Robert Iger 1951– Biography".Reference for Business.http://www.referenceforbusiness.com/biography/F-L/Iger-Robert-1951.html.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  8. ↑ "Iger Tapped No. 2 as Mouse TV Booms".Variety.2000-01-25.https://variety.com/2000/biz/news/iger-tapped-no-2-as-mouse-tv-booms-1117765636/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  9. ↑ "Eisner to Step Down a Year Early at Disney".The Washington Post.2005-03-14.https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A32493-2005Mar13.html.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  10. ↑ "The incumbent".The Economist.2005.http://www.economist.com/displaystory.cfm?story_id=5442077.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  11. ↑ "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.
  12. ↑ "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.
  13. ↑ "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.
  14. ↑ "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.
  15. ↑ "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.
  16. ↑ "Iger Has Told Associates He Plans to Leave CEO Role Before Contract Expires".The Wall Street Journal.https://www.wsj.com/business/media/iger-has-told-associates-he-plans-to-leave-ceo-role-before-contract-expires-35406a7b.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  17. ↑ "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.
  18. ↑ "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.
  19. ↑ "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.
  20. ↑ "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.
  21. ↑ "Disney CEO Bob Iger Resigns From Trump's Advisory Council Over Paris Accord Decision".Variety.2017.https://variety.com/2017/film/news/disney-ceo-bob-iger-resigns-from-trumps-advisory-council-over-paris-accord-decision-1202451184/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  22. ↑ "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.
  23. ↑ "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.
  24. ↑ "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.
  25. ↑ "Disney Braces for Major Turmoil as New CEO Steps Into the Spotlight".Inside the Magic.2026-02.https://insidethemagic.net/2026/02/disney-braces-for-major-turmoil-as-new-ceo-steps-into-the-spotlight-sb1/.Retrieved 2026-02-23.
  26. ↑ "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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