Robert Iger Biography & Net Worth

Robert Iger Biography & Net Worth

Robert Allen Iger is an American media executive and film producer. He is also the Executive Chairman of The Walt Disney Company, after serving as CEO from 2005 to 2020. Before he began to work for Disney, Iger served as President of ABC Television for a year from 1994 to 1995, and as President/COO of Capital Cities/ABC, Inc. from 1995 until the acquisition of the company by Disney in 1996. Robert Iger net worth is estimated at $690 million.

Robert Iger’s Early Life

Robert Allen “Bob” Iger was born on 10 February 1951, in New York City, United States. He grew up in Oceanside, where he schooled at the Fulton Avenue School and completed his studies at Oceanside High School in 1969. He grew a passion for books at a very young age. In 1973, he completed his education at Roy H. Park School of Communication at Ithaca College with a Bachelor’s degree in Television and Radio.

Robert Iger’s Career

The year 1972 was when Iger began his media career, hosting an Ithaca College television show “Campus Probe”. Working as a weatherman in Ithaca, he dreamed of becoming a news anchor, before shifting his career goals.

American Broadcasting Company (ABC)

A year after graduating from college, Robert  joined the American Broadcasting Company (ABC). His first role with the company was to perform menial works on television sets for around $150 a week. In 1989, he became the head of ABC Entertainment, and served as president of ABC Network Television Group between 1993 to 1994. He was appointed as senior vice president of Capital Cities/ABC in March 1993, and executive vice president four months later.

In 1994, Robert Iger became president and CEO of Capital Cities/ABC which was the corporate parent of ABC.

The Walt Disney Company

In 1996, Capital Cities/ABC was purchased by The Walt Disney Company and was renamed ABC, Inc., where Iger continued to serve as president until 1999 when he was named the president of Walt Disney International, as well as chairman of the ABC Group.

On January 24, 2000, Iger was named president and chief operating officer of Disney, making him the company’s No. 2 executive under the chairman and CEO, Michael Eisner. As a result of a progressive effort by Roy E. Disney to rearrange the management of the company, Disney started an active search for another person who will take up the position of Eisner. It was on March 13, 2005, that Disney announced Michael Eisner’s successor. Robert Iger was named to replace him as CEO, and was placed in charge of everyday operations of the company. After his appointment, Iger had to wait until September 30, 2005 for Eisner to resign.

As CEO, one of Robert’s first major decisions as was to disband the Strategic Planning division of the company and reassign Peter Murphy, Disney’s chief strategic officer. Prior to him being named Chief Executive Officer, board members Stanley Gold and Roy E. Disney started campaign “save Disney” against Eisner. When they decided to work with Iger, they dropped the campaign and set off to work. This new association between Iger and the board of the company proved reasonable in the few years that followed as they saw the new CEO’s work and implementations pleasing.

During Iger’s tenure, Disney widened its presence in international markets and the company’s roster of intellectual properties. Iger oversaw the purchases of 21st Century Fox in 2019 for $71.3 billion, Pixar in 2006 for $7.4 billion, Lucasfilm in 2012 for $4.06 billion, and Marvel Entertainment in 2009 for $4 billion, as well as the expansion of the theme park resorts of the company in East Asia, introducing Shanghai Disney Resort and Hong Kong Disneyland Resort in 2005 and 2016, respectively.

Under Iger, The Walt Disney Company has experienced profits across its various divisions, with the market capitalization value of the company increasing from $48.4 billion to $257 billion in thirteen years.

On February 25, 2020, Robert Iger stepped down as the company’s CEO. He will continue to serve as Chairman of Disney’s Board of Directors and Executive Chairman until December 2021.

Personal Life

Iger has been married twice in his lifetime. His first marriage was to Kathleen Susan. They divorced after having two sons together.

He married for the second time in 1995 to American journalist Willow Bay. The also have two sons together.

He has been noted for his kindness and meaningful contributions towards all that he is involved in, and this was observed throughout all stages of his career.

Robert Iger Net worth

Bob Iger is an American media executive and film producer. He is the Executive Chairman of The Walt Disney Company, after serving as CEO from 2005 to 2020. The Walt Disney Company when headed by Iger reportedly experienced profits across its various divisions, with the market capitalization value of the company increasing from $48.4 billion to $257 billion in thirteen years.

His wealth has come from his highly successful career. As part of his annual compensation, Iger was paid a total of $44.9 million in 2015. In 2019, it was reported by Forbes that the CEO finished the year with a total of $3 million salary, plus a $21.8 million bonus. He earned another $19.6 million through stock awards and options, making his total earnings for the year $47.5 million.

His own increasing fortune has been enabled by the rise in the value of Disney since he’s been at the helm. Forbes reports that he is richer than the current heir of Disney, Abigail Disney, who disclosed she’s worth about $120 million.

Robert Iger net worth is a staggering $690 million.