William M. McGuire is known for his significant role as the CEO of UnitedHealth Group, a major player in the health insurance industry. He led the company from 1991 until 2006, steering it through substantial growth. Under his leadership, UnitedHealth...

William M. McGuire is known for his significant role as the CEO of UnitedHealth Group, a major player in the health insurance industry. He led the company from 1991 until 2006, steering it through substantial growth. Under his leadership, UnitedHealth expanded its reach to provide medical benefits to around 50 million members globally. McGuire’s compensation peaked in 2005, totaling over $8 million, largely due to performance-based bonuses. However, his tenure ended with controversy; he stepped down amid legal challenges related to stock options that were blocked by a court during a corporate investigation. By late 2005, he held more than $1 billion in unexercised stock options, showcasing the financial scale of his role. Before becoming CEO, he was a cardiologist and had served in various executive roles within the company. Despite his achievements, his departure highlighted the complexities of corporate governance in a high-stakes industry like healthcare.