Sidney Taurel served as the CEO and Chairman of Eli Lilly & Co. from 1998 until 2008, culminating a 36-year career with the company. Notably, during a tough time for Eli Lilly in 2002, he famously chose to take a...

Sidney Taurel served as the CEO and Chairman of Eli Lilly & Co. from 1998 until 2008, culminating a 36-year career with the company. Notably, during a tough time for Eli Lilly in 2002, he famously chose to take a salary of $1 to show confidence in the company. His compensation reflected his commitment, peaking in 2006 with over $15 million when the company's performance surged. Under Taurel's leadership, Eli Lilly focused on long-term growth, launching significant products like Strattera and Cialis, and improving operational efficiency. He remained involved with the company until his retirement in 2008, ensuring a smooth transition of leadership. His educational background includes an MBA from Columbia University, and he has served on various boards, influencing both the pharmaceutical landscape and corporate governance practices.

Quick Links

1. Rivals

2. Holdings

3. Insider Trading

4. Compensation History

5. Other Eli Lilly CEOs

E

Sidney Taurel

Ex-CEO of Eli Lilly

Education

MBA from Columbia University

Field of Expertise

Business & Management

Sector of Economy

Healthcare

Born

February 9, 1948 - 77 years ago

CEO of Eli Lilly for

9 years 8 months (Jul 1998 - Mar 2008)

Previous Experience

36-year Lilly employee

Rivals

Competitors/colleagues of Sidney Taurel

P

Albert Bourla

CEO of Pfizer

2023 Compensation

Stock

$0.00

Salary

$1.79M

Bonus

$0.00

Other

$2.26M

Total Holdings

$18.38M

M

Robert M. Davis

CEO of Merck & Co.

2023 Compensation

Stock

$17.72M

Salary

$1.60M

Bonus

$0.00

Other

$386.15K

Total Holdings

$5.80M

J

Joaquin Duato

CEO of Johnson & Johnson

2023 Compensation

Stock

$0.00

Salary

$1.58M

Bonus

$3.65M

Other

$241.99K

Total Holdings

$61.93M

M

Stéphane Bancel

CEO of Moderna

2023 Compensation

Stock

$0.00

Salary

$1.58M

Bonus

$1.91M

Other

$1.07M

Total Holdings

$491.74M

V

Reshma Kewalramani

CEO of Vertex Pharmaceuticals

2022 Compensation

Stock

$10.64M

Salary

$1.40M

Bonus

$3.78M

Other

$43.06K

Total Holdings

$54.25M

A

Robert A. Bradway

CEO of Amgen

2023 Compensation

Stock

$0.00

Salary

$1.79M

Bonus

$0.00

Other

$680.46K

Total Holdings

$182.86M

Holdings

See how much did Sidney Taurel make over time.

Throughout his time at Eli Lilly, Sidney Taurel maintained a significant stake in the company, demonstrating his belief in its potential. His holdings fluctuated, peaking around 2006 when he had substantial vested stock reflecting a booming company performance. By the...

Throughout his time at Eli Lilly, Sidney Taurel maintained a significant stake in the company, demonstrating his belief in its potential. His holdings fluctuated, peaking around 2006 when he had substantial vested stock reflecting a booming company performance. By the end of his tenure, he held over 877,000 shares, a testimony to his long-term investment strategy. Taurel’s approach, focused on sustainable growth and responsible stewardship, ensured stability for both the company and his own financial standing. After retiring, his wealth was still closely tied to the company's success, showcasing his commitment and confidence in Lilly's future during his leadership.

Insider Trading

See recent insider trades of Sidney Taurel.

No insider trades found for this CEO.

Compensation History

See how much did Sidney Taurel make over time.

During his time at Eli Lilly, Sidney Taurel’s compensation was closely linked to the company's performance. In 2006, his total pay exceeded $15 million due to significant cash bonuses and vested stock, demonstrating the direct correlation between his leadership and Lilly's success. Interestingly, in 2002, he opted for a salary of just $1, showing his confidence in the company amid challenges. His approach to executive pay focused on aligning with company goals, ensuring top talent while motivating the workforce. Even as he transitioned to chairman after stepping down as CEO in 2008, his compensation reflected his continuous influence on the company's direction and stability.

Year

2008

Total Compensation

$8.22M

Salary

$1.08M

Board Justification

The compensation philosophy focuses on aligning executive pay with company performance, ensuring competitive pay to attract and retain talent, and maintaining a balance between short-term and long-term incentives.

Bonus

$2.33M

Board Justification

The bonus was based on the company's performance metrics, with a target bonus of 140% of salary, adjusted based on actual performance against established goals.

Other

$839.43K

Board Justification

Other compensation includes tax reimbursements and perquisites, including the use of corporate aircraft for business-related travel.

Restricted Stock

$3.97M(100K RSU)

Board Justification

The vested stock represents performance awards granted for the year 2007, which were paid out in January 2008 and vested upon retirement.

Performance Metrics

Performance metrics included sales growth and adjusted earnings per share growth, which were critical in determining the cash bonus payouts.

Other Eli Lilly CEOs

Here are other CEOs of Eli Lilly

John C. Lechleiter

Ex-CEO of Eli Lilly

April 2008 - December 2016