Bob Iger — $31 Million Return Package (Disney)

Bob Iger returned from retirement to a $31 million package, yet his comeback coincided with Disney laying off 7,000 employees—the largest workforce reduction in company history. That $31 million is 13% less than Andy Jassy's $29 million at Amazon, but the optics are far worse because Iger's predecessor was fired after just 11 months, creating a revolving-door cost that dwarfs typical succession plans. Each laid-off worker cost Disney an average of $270,000 in severance, meaning Iger's package alone could have retained 115 employees. The compensation was 40% below his earlier peak of $51 million, but even that discount didn't soften the blow for the 7,000 families affected. Shareholders approved the plan, but employee morale took a lasting hit.