Tim Cook — Apple ($99 Million Equity Award)

Cook's 2021 equity grant of $99 million sparked a shareholder advisory vote where 36% opposed the package — a stunning rebuke for a CEO who tripled Apple's market cap to nearly $3 trillion. This dissent rate is more than double the typical 15% opposition seen at comparable S&P 500 companies, revealing growing unease with mega-compensation even at successful firms. Unlike Sundar Pichai's $226 million payout at #3, which coincided with mass layoffs, Cook's award faced criticism for its sheer size relative to the median Apple worker's $72,000 salary. The vote underscores that even outperformance cannot shield pay from rising fairness demands.