Anyone who knows anything about Disney will know the name Bob Iger. He has been instrumental at Disney, especially since 2000 when he took on the prestigious role as Chief Operating Officer of the entire Walt Disney Company. When Michael Eisner left Disney in 2004 (before the end of his contract) Iger was elevated to Chief Executive Officer and oversaw an era of huge expansion.

Although Iger was originally due to retire at the end of his contract in 2016, his contract was extended to 2018 and then to 2019 and finally to 2021. Bob Iger officially left the Walt Disney Company yesterday on December 31, 2021. 

At the end of February 2020 he stepped down from CEO and agreed to carry on at the Walt Disney Company in a custom-made role as Executive Chairman. Susan Arnold has now succeeded Iger is this role as of December 31, 2021.

Bob Iger has prided himself on instilling and encouraging creativity within the company and his legacy is enshrined forever by his acquisitions of Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars, the opening of Shanghai Disneyland, the $70 billion purchase of 20th Century Fox, and the launch of Disney+. 

Iger posted a goodbye tweet yesterday on Twitter which is embedded below and gives thanks to cast members, colleagues and his wife and four children.

This is the end of my 47 1/2 yr ABC @Disney journey and it was “the ride of a lifetime.” Enormous thanks to my colleagues & fellow cast members & special thanks to my wife Willow & my 4 children: Katie, Amanda, Max & Will. I couldn’t have done this without your love & support. pic.twitter.com/n74x4FLqx0

— Robert Iger (@RobertIger) December 31, 2021

Bob Iger will undoubtedly be sorely missed at the Walt Disney Company and we wish him and his family well for the future. For further information on key people at the Walt Disney Company check out our recent feature, Who's Who At Disney? Behind The Big Names You've Gotta Know at the Mouse House (2021 Edition).