Brian Thompson, CEO of UnitedHealthcare, was fatally shot on Wednesday outside the New York Hilton Midtown in Manhattan, where the company was hosting an investor day.
Thompson, 50, became CEO of UnitedHealthcare, the insurance division of UnitedHealth Group, in April 2021. Having joined the company in 2004, he previously served as CEO of its government programs, overseeing Medicare, Medicaid, retiree coverage, and other initiatives that provide health care to millions of individuals.
As CEO, Thompson led growth across UnitedHealthcare’s global, employer, individual, specialty, and government benefits businesses. Upon his appointment, UnitedHealth Group CEO Andrew Witty praised Thompson’s experience and commitment, stating, “Brian’s experience, relationships, and values make him especially well-suited to help UnitedHealthcare improve how health care works for consumers, physicians, employers, governments, and our other partners, leading to continued and sustained long-term growth.”
During his 20-year tenure, Thompson held various roles, including chief financial officer for UnitedHealthcare’s Employer and Individual, Community and State, and Medicare and Retirement segments. He also served as financial controller for the Employer and Individual division and worked as a director in corporate development.
A Quiet but Impactful Leader
Despite his position at a $562 billion company influencing health care for millions, Thompson maintained a low profile. At an investor meeting last year, he highlighted UnitedHealth’s shift to value-based care, which focuses on keeping patients healthy instead of only treating illness.
“Health care should be easier for people,” Thompson said. “We are cognizant of the challenges. But navigating a future through value-based care unlocks a situation where the family doesn’t have to make the decisions on their own.”
In 2023, Thompson’s total compensation was $10.2 million, according to UnitedHealth Group disclosures.
Before joining the company, he worked as a certified public accountant at PwC. A University of Iowa graduate with a degree in business administration, Thompson lived in Maple Grove, Minnesota.
Following the incident, UnitedHealthcare canceled its Wednesday meeting with Wall Street analysts and investors, where Thompson was set to appear.
“We are deeply saddened and shocked by the passing of our dear friend and colleague Brian Thompson,” UnitedHealth Group said in a statement. “Brian was a highly respected colleague and friend to all who worked with him. We are working closely with the New York Police Department and ask for your patience and understanding during this difficult time. Our hearts go out to Brian’s family and all who were close to him.”
Thompson is survived by his wife, Paulette, and their two sons.
“We are shattered to hear about the senseless killing of our beloved Brian,” Paulette Thompson shared in a statement through CBS News. “Brian was an incredibly loving, generous, and talented man who truly lived life to the fullest and touched so many lives. Most importantly, he was an incredibly loving father to our two sons and will be greatly missed. We appreciate your well wishes and request complete privacy as our family navigates this difficult time.”
Minnesota Leaders React
The tragic news shocked many in Thompson’s home state of Minnesota. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey called it “a shocking and devastating loss for our whole community,” adding that Thompson was “a great man.”
Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar expressed her condolences, describing the shooting as “a horrifying and shocking act of violence.” Similarly, Governor Tim Walz called Thompson’s death “a terrible loss for the business and health care community in Minnesota.”