Investing.com - Robert Iger is on the verge of closing his biggest deal as chairman and CEO of The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS).
And that's the $71 billion dollar acquisition of Fox's film and entertainment assets.
Deal-making has been a hallmark of Iger's 13-year tenure, but the business world was not his first choice for a career four decades ago,
After growing up on Long Island, near New York City,
Iger graduated magna cum laude from Ithaca College with a B.S. in television and radio.
He dreamed of becoming a TV new anchor, but wound up working as a weatherman.
Iger says he "grew out of that job" after a few months and "smartly" shifted his career goals.
Iger joined the ABC TV network in 1974 and climbed the corporate ladder. By 1994, he was president and COO of ABC's corporate parent Capital Cities/ABC.
After The Walt Disney Company acquired Capital Cities/ABC in 1996, Iger received several big promotions, culminating with the chairman's post in 2012.
Under Iger's leadership, Disney acquired Pixar, Marvel Entertainment and Lucasfilm, and expanded its theme park/resort business to Asia. The company's stock is up more than 400% during his tenure.
Now, Disney's acquisition of Fox may be memorable for more than business reasons.
Until the Fox deal came along, Iger admitted that he was exploring a possible run for the White House in 2020.
He's since extended his contract through 2021.
So much for another career change.