Who was Brian Thompson married to? All about the UnitedHealthcare CEO's family in the wake of tragedy

Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare as shot and killed in New York City outside the Hilton Hotel in Manhattan on the morning of December 4, 2024. The 50-year-old was on his way to attend the company's investor conference when he was fatally shot.

Brian's wife, Paulette Thompson, issued a statement following his death, which was obtained by CNN. The statement read that the family was "shattered to hear about the senseless killing" as she described him to be an "incredibly loving, generous, [and] talented man." She wrote that he "lived life to the fullest" and had touched several lives.

“Most importantly, Brian was an incredibly loving father to our two sons and will be greatly missed,” Paulette wrote.

She also told NBC News that Brian Thompson had been receiving threats recently which may have been related to "lack of coverage.” However, she wasn’t sure about the details.

“I just know that he said there were some people that had been threatening him,” Paulette added.

She also noted that she was unable to "give a thoughtful response right now” as she was recovering from the news and was trying to console her children.

The video of the incident has surfaced and gone viral on social media.

---

All you need to know about Brian Thompson’s family

Brian Thompson was married to Paulette “Pauley” Thompson of Webster City, Iowa. However, the details of how long they had been married remain undisclosed. According to the Daily Mail, Paulette Thompson worked as a physical therapist at Park Nicollet Health Services, with over two decades of experience.

The 51-year-old reportedly has a master's degree in physical therapy from the University of Iowa in 1999. It is worth noting that Brian Thompson also went to the same university. According to his LinkedIn bio, Brian earned a bachelor's degree in business administration and accounting in 1997.

Meanwhile, Paulette Thompson's work bio reportedly stated that she loved spending time with her and Brian's two kids, their family, and friends. The Daily Mail also reported that she enjoyed boating, playing the piano, biking, and traveling among other activities.

“I am dedicated and passionate when it comes to well-being and want to make a difference in other people’s lives. I love helping people recover from their injuries and giving them a sense of empowerment over their health so they can live their lives to the fullest getting them back to their baseline or in some cases, surpassing their baseline,” the bio reads.

Brian Thompson lived with his wife and two teenage boys in Maple Grove, Minnesota. Elena Reveiz, Brian's sister-in-law, remembered him as a "good father" and a "good person" while talking to the NY Times.

---

In brief, exploring the details surrounding Brian Thompson’s murder

In the early hours of Wednesday, at around 6:45 am, Brian Thompson was shot in the back, leg, and chest. He was rushed to Mount Sinai West Hospital in a critical condition, where he was later pronounced dead.

The masked shooter, who fired three rounds, fled the scene on an electric bike towards Central Park and is yet to be apprehended. The Caucasian male suspect was reportedly last seen around 6:48 am near Center Drive. So far, his identity remains undisclosed. However, the New York City Police Department has announced a $10,000 reward for any information on the shooter’s whereabouts.

According to the police, it was a suspected "brazen, targeted killing."

The case is currently under investigation and according to NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch, surveillance footage revealed that the gunman was “lying in wait for several minutes.”

“Many people passed the suspect. But he appeared to wait for his intended target,” she told news outlets.

In the aftermath of the tragedy, UnitedHealth Group (UnitedHealthcare's parent company) canceled their investor meeting due to a “very serious medical situation.” Later, the company mourned the sudden demise of their CEO. In a statement, they noted that they were "working closely" with the NYPD.

“Brian was a highly respected colleague and friend to all who worked with him. We are working closely with the New York Police Department and ask for your patience and understanding during this difficult time. Our hearts go out to Brian’s family and all who were close to him,” it read.

---

Brian Thompson was named the CEO of UnitedHealthcare in April 2021. He had previously served as the company’s CEO of Government Programs and Medicare & Retirement from 2017 to 2021. He joined UnitedHealthcare in 2004, after having worked at PwC.