NEW YORK — Brian Thompson, the UnitedHealthcare CEO killed Wednesday in New York City, is being remembered as a dedicated family man.
Brian Thompson tragically lost his life in a targeted shooting outside a Manhattan hotel during a health insurer’s investor conference.
In a heartfelt statement to ABC News, Paulette Thompson, his wife, expressed deep sorrow over the loss of Brian. She described him as a loving, generous, and talented individual who embraced life to the fullest, leaving a lasting impact on many. Above all, Brian was a devoted father to their two sons, and his absence will be deeply felt. The family has requested privacy to navigate this trying period.
“We are just so sad right now,” Elena Reveiz, the sister of Thompson’s wife, told ABC News by phone.
Reveiz said she was especially worried about Thompson’s two children and called the CEO a good father.
One of Thompson’s sons recently completed high school, where he excelled as a three-year letterman in lacrosse, according to a coach interviewed by the Minnesota Star-Tribune. The younger son is also involved in sports, following in his brother’s athletic footsteps.
Thompson and his wife “were present around all of the team events,” assistant coach Brandon Carlson told the newspaper.
RELATED: Police piece together UnitedHealthcare CEO shooting suspect’s escape route
UnitedHealthcare’s parent company, UnitedHealth Group, the largest health insurer in the world, said in a statement, “We are deeply saddened and shocked at the passing of our dear friend and colleague Brian Thompson.”
UnitedHealthcare is the largest provider of Medicare Advantage plans in the U.S. and manages health insurance coverage for employers and state-and federally funded Medicaid programs.
Thompson, who was 50, had run the insurance arm of health care giant UnitedHealth Group Inc. since 2021 and had worked at the company for 20 years.
As CEO, Thompson led a business that provides health coverage for more than 49 million Americans. United is the largest provider of Medicare Advantage plans, the privately run versions of the U.S. government’s Medicare program for people age 65 and older. The company also sells individual insurance and administers health insurance coverage for thousands of employers and state-and federally funded Medicaid programs.
The portfolio Thompson managed generated $74 billion in revenue in the most recent quarter, making it the largest subsidiary of Minnetonka, Minnesota-based UnitedHealth Group. His $10.2 million annual compensation package, including salary, bonus and stock options awards, made him one of the company’s highest-paid executives.
The University of Iowa graduate who began his career as a certified public accountant had little name recognition beyond the industry. Even to investors who own its stock, the public face of the parent company belonged to CEO Andrew Witty, a knighted British triathlete who has testified before Congress.
Thompson held several roles since joining the company in 2004, according to his LinkedIn profile.
The deadly shooting drew reaction from political leaders in Minnesota, including Gov. Tim Walz who tweeted that the state is “sending our prayers to Brian’s family and the UnitedHealthcare team.”
Copyright © 2024 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.
