The Walt Disney Company’s CEO Bob Iger to Retire in 2021

Last week Bob Iger, CEO and Chairman of Disney, announced he will retire when his current contract expires at the end of 2021.

Bob Iger, CEO and Chairman Disney

The announcement was made when responding to a question at a Disney investors’ event.

During the event, Iger was asked about his retirement when his contract expires, and his response was: “I’m expecting my contract to expire at the end of 2021.” Iger’s contract has been extended before, once in 2017 after he had announced a 2018 retirement, and again in December 2019 with a 2021 expiration date.

Iger stated he has been working with the Disney Board “for quite some time”  on selecting a successor. He added, “They’ve been engaged in a succession process and we continue to feel they will be able to identify my successor on a timely enough basis so that this company has a smooth transition.”

Bob Iger at Mickey’s 90th Spectacular

Iger became Disney’s President and COO in 2000, becoming CEO in 2005, following Michael Eisner in that role. Iger became Chairman in 2012.

During Iger’s time as Disney’s leader the company acquired Pixar in 2006, Marvel Entertainment in 2009, and Lucasfilm in 2012. Most recently, Iger oversaw the acquisition of 21st Century Fox’s movie and TV studios and Fox’s 30 percent stake in Hulu — a transaction that closed in March 2019. Iger also oversaw the opening of Shanghai Disney in 2016.

What do you think of Iger’s announcement? Do you have any thoughts on a successor? Drop us a comment below.

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Sarah has built a career in communications and marketing that started when she was the editor of her high school newspaper. She has written for AllEars.net since 2018, and enjoys sharing Disney news and updates with the AllEars community. She's been a Disney fan ever since her first visit to Walt Disney World when she was 5, and has been known to arrange trips around visiting a Disney park!

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3 Replies to “The Walt Disney Company’s CEO Bob Iger to Retire in 2021”

    1. Jim, let’s see your list of the top 5 things you intend to do, specific to WDW, if you get the gig. Then we’ll decide if your the man for the job.