Obituary: UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, fatally shot at 50, ‘lived life to the fullest’

Brian Thompson is being remembered as a well-liked, highly skilled and personable friend by those who knew him growing up, his family members and colleagues in Minnesota’s executive ranks.

The CEO of Minnetonka-based UnitedHealthcare since 2021, Thompson was shot in Manhattan Wednesday morning in what police say was a targeted killing. He was 50.

A Maple Grove resident and father of two, Thompson was in New York for the insurance company’s annual meeting with investors. “Brian was an incredibly loving, generous, talented man who truly lived life to the fullest and touched so many lives,” his wife, Paulette Thompson, told FOX 9.

Thompson, the son of Pat and the late Dennis Thompson, grew up in Jewell, Iowa, and attended South Hamilton High School where he was an athlete, homecoming king, class president and valedictorian, according to the Iowa City Press-Citizen.

“He was humble, an outstanding student, he was liked by all, which was a testament to why he was probably our class president,” Todd Coy, a former physical education teacher and now principal of South Hamilton High, told Des Moines news station KCCI.

Jewell, which has a population around 1,000 people, is located about two hours northwest of Iowa City, where Thompson attended college.

At the University of Iowa, Thompson received a bachelor of business administration and accounting and was recognized as a Collegiate Scholar, Carver Scholar, State of Iowa Scholar and Faculty Scholar and named Outstanding Accounting Junior and Senior by the university and the Iowa Society of Certified Public Accountants.

After graduating, Thompson worked in the Twin Cities as an accountant for PricewaterhouseCoopers in the six years leading up to his time with United Health.

In 2004, he began with the insurer as the director of the group’s Corporate Development team.

Over his tenure with the company, Thompson held titles including Financial Controller, Chief Financial Officer for Community & State, Employer & Individual and Medicare & Retirement as well as Chief Executive Officer of Medicare & Retirement and Government Programs before his 2021 appointment as CEO for United Healthcare.

“He was a respected business leader who spent over 20 years with UnitedHealthcare,” said Jeff Harmening, chairman and CEO of General Mills and chair of the Minnesota Business Partnership, in a statement. “He was a beloved father, husband, and a good friend to many here — and he will be truly missed.”

Thompson leaves behind his wife and two sons, both of whom played sports for Wayzata High School, where one is still a student.

“Brian was an incredibly loving father to our two sons,” Paulette Thompson told FOX 9.

“He was a good person, and I am so sad,” Elena Reveiz, the sister of Paulette Thompson, told the New York Times.

“The fact that he came from small town Iowa and still was able to achieve what he achieved says a lot about his drive,” Coy said. “We’ve had things that we can hang our hat on, and Brian is definitely one of those.”

UnitedHealthcare controversy

As CEO, Thompson led a business that provides health coverage for more than 49 million Americans and managed a portfolio that generated $74 billion in revenue in the most recent quarter, the Associated Press reports.

His $10.2 million annual compensation package, including salary, bonus and stock options awards, made him one of the company’s highest-paid executives.

“This is horrifying news and a terrible loss for the business and health care community in Minnesota,” wrote Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz on X.

UnitedHealthcare made headlines in St. Paul this year for an impasse it reached with HealthPartners, where the latter said it would no longer accept UnitedHealthcare insurance and left some 30,000 retirees in limbo.

While the two companies reached a deal last month that offers coverage, the stalemate drew the ire of some in the Twin Cities.

“We are deeply saddened and shocked at the passing of our dear friend and colleague Brian Thompson,” the insurance company said in a news release. “Brian was a highly respected colleague and friend to all who worked with him.”

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