Bob Iger on Finding His Successor and Running for President

August 21, 2024

On a new episode of the “Let’s Talk Off Camera with Kelly Ripa” podcast, special guest Bob Iger revealed to Kelly Ripa that he’s “obsessed with” finding his replacement as CEO of Disney.

“I could say that I’m obsessed with it would be probably an understatement,” Iger said, “and actually, the board and I established when I returned that that would be among our biggest, if not our biggest priority. It’s actually something that I’m obviously very focused on, not just because of the past, but because I’d like to retire again and I’d like to leave the company in great hands, and that is my intention and I’m now confident that not only will we do that, but we’ll do so on a timely basis that works for the company and hopefully works for me as well, but yes. It’s a huge priority.”

Additionally, the Disney CEO discussed a conversation he had with a member of the Democratic party about running for president, his “pinch me” moment hosting Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, and how he and composer John Williams were the last two people knighted by Queen Elizabeth II before she passed.

Bob Iger on Finding His Replacement at Disney

Bob Iger: Well, I think it would be safe to assume that I think about this all the time. I could say that I’m obsessed with it would be probably an understatement and actually, the board and I established when I returned that that would be among our biggest, if not our biggest priority. It’s actually something that I’m obviously very focused on, not just because of the past, but because I’d like to retire again and I’d like to leave the company in great hands, and that is my intention and I’m now confident that not only will we do that, but we’ll do so on a timely basis that works for the company and hopefully works for me as well, but yes. It’s a huge priority.

Kelly Ripa: Will it be one of your sons?

Bob Iger: No. My son’s, interestingly enough, are both interested in parts of the business in a way, but no. It will not be.

Bob Iger on His Wife’s Response to Him Running for President

Kelly Ripa: And what did Willow say the second time around? Was she more on board the second time?

Bob Iger: I would say on board would be a bit of an overstatement, but not-

Kelly Ripa: Not threatening divorce?

Bob Iger: No. Not opposed in the sense that she, I think the way she said it is when I married you, I gave you my vows, for better or for worse. For whatever richer or for poor. I guess it would’ve become poorer.

Kelly Ripa: Right, right, right. A lot poorer.

Bob Iger: Yes, but it was along the lines of, “Look, I married you and I owe it to you to support your various endeavors and dreams,” and I wouldn’t say she was fully supportive, but she was not going to fight me.

Kelly Ripa: She would have made an incredible first lady, don’t you think?

Bob Iger: Yeah. Well, look. I’m very biased.

Kelly Ripa: She’s so accomplished in her own right.

Bob Iger: Yes. Yes. It’s funny because one of the people that I met with at the time, shall be nameless, but consider them a powerful member of the Democratic party at the time.

Kelly Ripa: Bill Clinton?

Bob Iger: Not gonna say. He said to me, “You should run for president,” and I said, “Tell me why?” and his first words out of his mouth were, “Well, you really look the part.” I said, “Give me a break. That’s not enough.”

Kelly Ripa: It’s Bill Clinton.

Bob Iger: And he said, “And your wife really looks the part.”

Kelly Ripa: It’s definitely Clinton.

Bob Iger: It was not. I’ve never discussed running for president with Bill Clinton.

Kelly Ripa: Was it Hillary Clinton?

Bob Iger: You don’t even get 10 guesses.

Kelly Ripa: I don’t get 10 guesses? This is my podcast.

New episodes of SiriusXM’s “Let’s Talk Off Camera with Kelly Ripa” drop every Wednesday on the SiriusXM app.



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