In today’s corporate landscape, the compensation of chief executive officers (CEOs) has become a topic of intense scrutiny and fascination.
As leaders of some of the world’s most influential companies, these executives command staggering salaries that often surpass those of their peers in other industries.
But what drives these astronomical figures? In this article, we will delve into the world of the highest-paid CEOs, exploring their compensation packages, the industries they represent, and the factors that contribute to their financial success.
In this article, we take a closer look at the individuals who are not only shaping their companies but also redefining what it means to be at the top of the corporate ladder.
1. Jon Winkelried – $198,685,926
Jon Winkelried is the CEO of TPG, a leading global private equity firm founded in 1992 by David Bonderman and James Coulter.
TPG began as a family office managing investments for the Bass family and has since grown into a major player in private equity, managing approximately $119 billion in assets across various sectors.
Winkelried joined TPG as co-CEO in 2015 and became CEO in 2021, previously serving as co-president of Goldman Sachs from 2006 to 2009.
2. Harvey Schwartz – $186,994,098
Harvey Schwartz is the CEO of The Carlyle Group, a leading global investment firm specializing in private equity, credit, and investment solutions.
He took on this role on February 15, 2023, following a notable career at Goldman Sachs, where he served as President and Co-COO from 2016 to 2018.
Carlyle Group, founded in 1987, has grown to become one of the largest private equity firms worldwide, managing over $400 billion in assets across various sectors.
3. Hock Tan – $161,826,161
Hock Tan is the CEO of Broadcom Inc., a leading semiconductor and infrastructure software company.
He has been at the helm since 2006, transforming Broadcom through strategic acquisitions, including the merger with Broadcom Corporation in 2016, which rebranded Avago Technologies as Broadcom Inc.
Tan, born in Malaysia in 1951, studied at MIT and Harvard, holding various executive roles prior to joining Broadcom, including CEO of Integrated Circuit Systems.
Under his leadership, Broadcom has become a major player in the tech industry, known for its aggressive acquisition strategy and significant revenue growth.
4. Nikesh Arora – $151,425,203
Nikesh Arora is the CEO and Chairman of Palo Alto Networks, the largest independent cybersecurity company, based in Santa Clara, California.
He has held this position since June 2018, significantly increasing the company’s market cap from $18 billion to over $100 billion during his tenure.
Before Palo Alto Networks, Arora was a senior executive at Google and served as President and COO of SoftBank Group Corp.
His career began at Fidelity Investments, followed by roles in Deutsche Telekom and T-Mobile.
5. Sue Nabi – $149,429,486
Sue Youcef Nabi is the CEO of Coty Inc., an American multinational beauty company known for brands like Covergirl and Gucci.
She took on this role in July 2020, becoming the first female and transgender CEO of the company.
Nabi’s career includes 20 years at L’Oréal, where she held significant positions including President of Lancôme and L’Oréal Paris, before founding the vegan skincare line Orveda in 2017.
Coty, founded in 1904, has a rich history in beauty and fragrance, evolving into a major player in the global market under Nabi’s leadership.
6. George Mattson – $148,978,853
George Mattson is the CEO of Wheels Up Experience Inc., a private aviation company that has evolved from a startup into a leader in the industry since its founding in 2013.
Wheels Up offers membership-based private jet services, emphasizing accessibility and convenience in air travel.
Under Mattson’s leadership, appointed in October 2023, the company aims to enhance operational performance and customer experience, supported by significant investments from Delta Air Lines and other partners.
7. Stephen Schwarzman – $119,784,375
Stephen Schwarzman is the CEO and co-founder of Blackstone, a leading global investment firm established in 1985 with Peter G. Peterson.
Initially focused on mergers and acquisitions, Blackstone has expanded into private equity, real estate, and credit, managing over $1 trillion in assets as of 2024.
The firm went public in 2007 and has since become the largest alternative asset manager worldwide, known for its significant influence in finance and philanthropy.
8. Christopher Winfrey – $89,077,078
Christopher Winfrey is the President and CEO of Charter Communications, a leading broadband connectivity company in the U.S.
He was appointed CEO in December 2022, after serving as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer since joining the company in 2010.
Charter Communications, founded in 1993, operates under the Spectrum brand, providing internet, mobile, TV, and voice services to over 57 million customers across 41 states.
The company has grown significantly through acquisitions, including Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks, and is focused on expanding broadband access nationwide.
9. Pablo Legorreta – $84,837,077
Pablo Legorreta is the CEO and Chairman of Royalty Pharma plc, a company he founded in 1996.
Royalty Pharma specializes in acquiring royalty streams from life sciences innovations, having deployed over $20 billion to support biopharmaceutical advancements.
The company collaborates with various entities, including academic institutions and biotechnology firms, to fund research and development efforts.
Prior to establishing Royalty Pharma, Legorreta worked as an investment banker at Lazard Frères in New York and Paris.
10. Ariel Emanuel – $83,879,505
Ariel Emanuel is the CEO of Endeavor Group Holdings, a global sports and entertainment company.
Endeavor was founded in 1995 by Emanuel and others as a talent agency, which later merged with the William Morris Agency in 2009 to form WME.
In 2014, WME acquired IMG, and in 2016, it purchased UFC.
The company was rebranded as Endeavor in 2017 and went public in 2021, becoming a leading player in the entertainment industry with various high-profile acquisitions and partnerships.
11. Adam Foroughi – $83,361,678
Adam Foroughi is the CEO and co-founder of AppLovin, a mobile technology company established in 2012.
AppLovin provides a platform for developers to monetize their mobile applications through advertising and in-app purchases.
The company went public in 2021, achieving a valuation of approximately $24 billion at its IPO.
Foroughi’s leadership has been pivotal in transforming AppLovin into a global enterprise, significantly impacting the mobile app industry.
12. David Risher – $78,238,027
David Risher is the CEO of Lyft, having taken on the role in April 2023.
Prior to his appointment as CEO, he served on Lyft’s board of directors since July 2021, bringing a wealth of experience to the company.
Lyft was founded in 2012 by Logan Green and John Zimmer as a rideshare service.
The company initially emerged from Zimride, which was a long-distance ridesharing platform.
Lyft quickly gained prominence for its innovative peer-to-peer ridesharing model, allowing everyday people to offer rides to others.
Since its inception, Lyft has expanded its services across North America, establishing itself as a significant player in the transportation industry.
13. William Lansing – $66,349,962
William Lansing is the Chief Executive Officer of Fair Isaac Corporation (FICO), a company known for its analytics and decision management solutions, particularly in credit scoring and risk management.
Founded in 1956, FICO developed the first credit score model, which has become a standard in the industry.
Under Lansing’s leadership since 2012, FICO has expanded its product offerings and enhanced its technological capabilities to serve various sectors, including finance and healthcare.
14. Tim Cook – $63,209,845
Tim Cook is the CEO of Apple Inc., a leading technology company known for its innovative products like the iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
Apple was founded in 1976 by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne.
Initially focused on personal computers, it expanded into consumer electronics and software.
Cook joined Apple in 1998, becoming CEO in August 2011 after Jobs’ resignation due to health issues.
Under Cook’s leadership, Apple has achieved significant growth, launching new products and services while advocating for social issues and environmental sustainability.
15. Jay Chaudhry – $57,775,483
Jay Chaudhry is the CEO and founder of Zscaler, a cloud security company established in 2008.
Zscaler specializes in providing secure cloud-based solutions for enterprises, transitioning from traditional firewalls to modern security frameworks.
The company went public in 2018 and has since grown significantly, with a market capitalization reaching approximately $30 billion.
Prior to Zscaler, Chaudhry founded several successful cybersecurity firms, including SecureIT, CipherTrust, and AirDefense, all of which were acquired by larger companies.
16. Githesh Ramamurthy – $54,549,486
Githesh Ramamurthy is the Chief Executive Officer of CCC Intelligent Solutions Holdings Inc., a company that provides software and services for the property and casualty insurance industry.
Founded in 1980 and headquartered in Chicago, CCC specializes in automotive claims and repair solutions, offering a suite of tools for insurers and collision repairers.
Ramamurthy has been with the company since 1992, serving in various leadership roles, including President and COO before becoming CEO in 2021.
The company has undergone significant transformations, including going public and private multiple times.
17. Gary Steele – $51,212,720
Gary Steele is the CEO of Splunk Inc., a leading data platform for security and observability.
He joined Splunk in April 2022, succeeding as CEO after a successful tenure at Proofpoint, which he co-founded and led to significant growth and a public offering.
Splunk, founded in 2003, specializes in software for searching, monitoring, and analyzing machine-generated big data via a web-style interface.
Under Steele’s leadership, Splunk has focused on enhancing its market position and profitability, achieving remarkable revenue growth during his time as CEO.
18. Hamid Moghadam – $50,891,597
Hamid Moghadam is the Chairman and CEO of Prologis, a leading global logistics real estate investment trust (REIT) founded in 2011 through the merger of AMB Property Corporation, which he co-founded in 1983, and ProLogis.
Under his leadership, Prologis has grown to manage approximately 1.2 billion square feet of logistics facilities across 20 countries, focusing on sustainable practices and significant investments in renewable energy.
The company is recognized as a top player in the logistics real estate sector, with a commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2040.
19. James Belardi – $50,782,768
James Belardi is the CEO and co-founder of Athene Holding Ltd., a financial services company specializing in retirement savings products.
Founded in May 2009, Athene focuses on issuing, reinsuring, and acquiring retirement solutions, leveraging deep expertise in managing retirement benefits.
Prior to Athene, Belardi held significant roles at SunAmerica Life Insurance Company and AIG Retirement Services, overseeing substantial investment portfolios.
Athene has grown rapidly through strategic acquisitions, including Liberty Life Insurance Co. and Investors Insurance Corp., positioning itself as a leader in the annuity market.
20. Joseph Bae – $49,959,449
Joseph Bae is the co-CEO of KKR & Co. Inc., a leading global investment firm with over $450 billion in assets under management.
He joined KKR in 1996, playing a crucial role in its expansion into Asia and becoming co-chief executive in 2021, succeeding the founders.
KKR was founded in 1976 by Henry Kravis and George Roberts, focusing on private equity investments across various sectors, including real estate and infrastructure.
