Bob Iger, the CEO of Walt Disney Co. who is preparing to step down after 20 years, earned $45.8 million in 2023 – an 11% increase from his compensation the year before.
In 2024, Iger was paid $41 million in compensation.
Disney has publicly shared how much its top executives are paid, as the company’s board begins the challenging process of choosing a successor for Bob Iger, whose leadership term finishes in December.
According to Disney Chairman James Gorman, planning for the next CEO is a key focus for the company’s board of directors. He explained that this is crucial for ensuring the business runs smoothly and continues to deliver value to shareholders. The board’s succession committee has been reviewing potential candidates, and a final decision on the next CEO is expected soon.
The company is considering four internal candidates for the position: Josh D’Amaro, who leads the parks division; Dana Walden, a key executive in television and streaming; Alan Bergman, head of the movie studio; and Jimmy Pitaro, Chairman of ESPN.
This time, Disney’s board prepared for a CEO change much more carefully than they did six years ago. They created a special committee, led by James Gorman—the previous CEO of Morgan Stanley—to specifically handle the transition.
The group also features General Motors CEO Mary Barra, Lululemon Athletica CEO Calvin McDonald, and Jeremy Darroch, who previously led Sky broadcasting in the UK. According to Disney’s official statement, each potential internal successor is undergoing intensive preparation, which includes guidance from current CEO Bob Iger, professional coaching, and meetings with the company’s board of directors.
Disney announced its annual shareholder meeting will be held online on March 18th. Investors will vote on proposals submitted by fellow shareholders, covering topics like Disney’s environmental efforts and accessibility for guests with disabilities at its theme parks.
A conservative group, the National Center for Public Policy Research, is asking Disney to report on how well its climate-related investments are performing. They believe shareholders deserve to know if Disney’s environmental promises are financially sound.
As a big Disney fan, I’ve been following this shareholder proposal about environmental reporting. Basically, Disney is asking its shareholders to vote against it. They argue their current sustainability efforts are already based on solid science and are openly available to the public. They also point out that a new, detailed report like the one being proposed wouldn’t actually fall under the usual financial reporting rules, so it wouldn’t be a necessary addition.
Investors will also vote on a plan to have Disney independently review how well it supports people with disabilities and ensures accessibility.
Shareholder Erik G. Paul has made a proposal to Disney following recent criticism of the accessibility policies at its theme parks.
Disney asked its shareholders to reject the proposal, stating that the company is dedicated to creating accessible services for people with disabilities and regularly assesses its existing practices.
The company stated that it already offers comprehensive information both online and at the parks regarding its policies for guests with disabilities. This includes options like bypassing standby lines for those who need it, and a wide variety of other support services.
Jeff Williams, who used to be Apple’s head of operations, will likely become a new member of the board at the meeting in March.
Hollywood Inc.
Following his retirement from Morgan Stanley, James Gorman was looking for a significant new undertaking, and he found it in the process of selecting Disney’s next CEO.
Bob Iger earned a base salary of $1 million, plus additional compensation including $21 million in stock awards, $14 million in options, and a $7.25 million bonus.
Disney covered over $568,000 in personal air travel for its CEO, Bob Iger, and spent an additional $1.8 million on his security. The company stated that Iger must use the corporate jet for personal trips for safety reasons.
Disney praised CEO Bob Iger for the company’s success at the box office over the past year. This included major hits like “Moana 2,” which earned over a billion dollars despite being released in 2024 thanks to continued strong ticket sales, and the live-action remake of “Lilo & Stitch.”
The company highlighted how Bob Iger finalized Disney’s purchase of Hulu, navigating difficult negotiations and legal disputes with Comcast. This deal strengthened Disney’s streaming service internationally.
Iger oversaw the release of the ESPN Unlimited app and important events at Disney’s theme parks, such as Disneyland’s 70th anniversary and the debut of new rides like Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. Disney explained these developments were intended to strengthen the parks for long-term success.
Hollywood Inc.
The Burbank company is facing challenges after heavily investing in streaming. Its stock price has been declining, investors are becoming impatient, and its major studios are feeling the strain.
Succession has become a front-burner issue for the company.
The company’s board has extended the contracts of four of Bob Iger’s key leaders – Hugh Johnston (CFO), Horacio Gutierrez (Chief Legal Officer), Sonia Coleman (Chief People Officer), and Kristina Schake (Chief Communications Officer) – to ensure a smooth transition when a new CEO is chosen.
Johnston received $20.2 million, Gutierrez earned $16.3 million, Coleman received $7.4 million, and Schake was compensated with $6.2 million.
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2026-01-23 03:31