Bob Iger is an American media executive, businessman, author, and former chief executive officer of The Walt Disney Company. He is widely known for leading Disney through major acquisitions involving Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm, and 21st Century Fox.
Born on February 10, 1951, Iger spent decades building his career in television and entertainment before becoming one of Hollywood’s most influential executives. He stepped down as Disney CEO in March 2026 but remains a senior adviser and member of the company’s board through the end of 2026.
Quick Facts About Bob Iger
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Robert Allen Iger |
| Popular Name | Bob Iger |
| Date of Birth | February 10, 1951 |
| Age | 75 years old |
| Birthplace | New York City, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Media executive, businessman, author |
| Known For | Former CEO of The Walt Disney Company |
| Current Disney Role | Senior Advisor and Board Member |
| Disney CEO Tenure | 2005–2020 and 2022–2026 |
| Wife | Willow Bay |
| Children | Four |
| Education | Ithaca College |
| Net Worth | No verified exact 2026 figure |
| Notable Book | The Ride of a Lifetime |
Bob Iger Early Life and Family
Robert Allen Iger was born on February 10, 1951, in New York City. He grew up primarily in Oceanside on Long Island, New York.
His father, Arthur Iger, worked in advertising and public relations and also taught in the field. His mother, Mimi Iger, worked at a school in Oceanside.
Iger attended Oceanside High School and developed an early interest in broadcasting. His original ambition was to work in television, although his career eventually shifted toward management and corporate leadership.
Bob Iger Education
Bob Iger attended Ithaca College in New York. He graduated magna cum laude in 1973 with a degree in television and radio.
His education gave him an early foundation in broadcasting and communications. Soon after graduation, he began working in television and gradually moved into increasingly senior management positions.
Bob Iger Early Career at ABC
Iger’s long media career began at ABC in 1974. His first positions were far removed from the executive offices he would later occupy.
He worked his way through ABC’s television operations and gained extensive experience in sports broadcasting and programming. During the 1980s, he held increasingly important management positions within ABC Sports.
His career continued to advance until he became president of ABC Entertainment. He later became a senior executive at Capital Cities/ABC.
When Disney acquired Capital Cities/ABC in the 1990s, Iger became part of Disney’s senior management team. The acquisition eventually created the path that would take him to the company’s top position.
Bob Iger Career at Disney
Iger officially joined Disney’s senior management team in 1996 as chairman of the ABC Group. In 1999, he was given responsibility for Walt Disney International.
He became Disney’s president and chief operating officer in 2000. Five years later, he succeeded Michael Eisner and became CEO of The Walt Disney Company in October 2005.
Iger’s first period as chief executive lasted until February 2020. He then became executive chairman and continued overseeing Disney’s creative operations until leaving the company at the end of 2021.
However, his retirement did not last long. Disney brought Iger back as CEO in November 2022 following the departure of Bob Chapek.
His second period as CEO continued until March 18, 2026, when Josh D’Amaro succeeded him.
Major Disney Acquisitions Under Bob Iger
A major part of the Bob Iger biography is his strategy of acquiring valuable entertainment companies and intellectual property.
Under his leadership, Disney acquired Pixar in 2006, bringing franchises such as Toy Story and The Incredibles more firmly into the Disney business.
Disney acquired Marvel Entertainment in 2009, giving the company control of many globally recognised superhero properties. Iger later oversaw the acquisition of Lucasfilm in 2012, adding Star Wars and Indiana Jones to Disney’s portfolio.
His tenure also included Disney’s large acquisition of much of 21st Century Fox. These deals dramatically expanded Disney’s film, television, and streaming libraries.
Iger also oversaw the launch of Disney+ in 2019, helping Disney compete directly in the global streaming market.
Bob Iger After Stepping Down as Disney CEO
Bob Iger officially handed the CEO position to Josh D’Amaro on March 18, 2026. However, he did not immediately cut all ties with the company.
As of 2026, Iger remains a Senior Advisor and member of Disney’s Board of Directors. His planned retirement from the company is December 31, 2026.
His role allows Disney’s new leadership to continue benefiting from his experience during the transition. It also closes a corporate career that has placed Iger at the centre of the company for several decades.
Bob Iger and the Los Angeles Lakers
Iger has increasingly expanded his interests beyond Disney. In August 2026, he and investor Joshua Kushner were reported to be leading a group that agreed to acquire a controlling interest in the Los Angeles Lakers.
The transaction reportedly values the NBA franchise at approximately $12.5 billion. The valuation would make it one of the largest sports franchise transactions ever reported.
The deal does not mean Iger personally paid $12.5 billion or owns the entire team. He is part of a broader investment group involved in the transaction.
Iger and his wife, Willow Bay, are also involved in professional women’s soccer through their controlling investment in Angel City FC.
Bob Iger Wife and Personal Life
Bob Iger is married to Willow Bay, a journalist, media executive, and academic leader. The couple married in 1995.
Bay has worked in television journalism and later became dean of the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism. She and Iger have frequently supported educational and charitable initiatives.
Iger was previously married before his marriage to Bay. He has generally kept many details of his family life private despite spending decades in the public eye.
Bob Iger Children
Bob Iger has four children from his two marriages. He has two daughters from his first marriage and two sons with Willow Bay.
His children have generally maintained much lower public profiles than their father. Iger has also spoken publicly about balancing the demands of senior corporate leadership with his responsibilities as a husband and father.
Bob Iger Net Worth and Earnings
Bob Iger is one of the wealthiest executives in the American entertainment industry. However, there is no reliable, independently verified exact figure for Bob Iger’s net worth in 2026.
A detailed Forbes analysis published in 2019 estimated his wealth at approximately $690 million at that time. His fortune was linked largely to years of executive compensation, Disney shares, stock sales, cash, and other investments.
His wealth may have changed considerably since that estimate. Therefore, describing $690 million as his exact 2026 net worth would be misleading.
Iger continued receiving substantial compensation during his final years as Disney CEO. His fiscal 2025 total compensation was approximately $45.8 million, including salary, incentives, stock awards, and other compensation.
Bob Iger Book and Leadership Philosophy
Bob Iger published his memoir and leadership book, The Ride of a Lifetime, in 2019. The book discusses his career and the management principles that influenced his time at Disney.
He has often emphasised optimism, creativity, courage, fairness, and attention to quality as important leadership qualities.
His career is particularly associated with major strategic decisions that changed Disney from a traditional entertainment company into a larger global media and intellectual-property business.
Bob Iger’s Legacy in the Entertainment Industry
The Bob Iger biography is closely connected with the transformation of modern Disney. His decisions involving Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm, Fox, theme parks, and streaming significantly expanded the company’s global reach.
At 75 years old, Iger has moved beyond the Disney CEO position but remains active in business and investment. His involvement in sports ownership and other ventures shows that his career continues beyond his decades leading Disney.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Who is Bob Iger?
Bob Iger is an American media executive and businessman best known for serving as CEO of The Walt Disney Company. He led Disney during two separate periods and currently serves as a senior adviser and board member.
Q2: How old is Bob Iger?
Bob Iger is 75 years old as of 2026. He was born on February 10, 1951, in New York City.
Q3: Is Bob Iger still the CEO of Disney?
No. Bob Iger stepped down as Disney CEO on March 18, 2026. Josh D’Amaro succeeded him as chief executive.
Q4: Who is Bob Iger’s wife?
Bob Iger is married to Willow Bay, a journalist and media executive who serves as dean of the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism. They have been married since 1995.
Q5: How many children does Bob Iger have?
Bob Iger has four children. He has two daughters from his first marriage and two sons with Willow Bay.
Q6: What is Bob Iger’s net worth in 2026?
Bob Iger’s exact 2026 net worth has not been reliably confirmed. A previous detailed estimate placed his fortune at around $690 million, but his current wealth may be different.
Q7: What companies did Bob Iger acquire at Disney?
During Iger’s leadership, Disney completed major acquisitions involving Pixar, Marvel Entertainment, Lucasfilm, and much of 21st Century Fox. These deals became some of the defining decisions of his career.
