New Delhi: Indian-origin business leader Shankh Mitra, Chief Executive Officer of US-based healthcare real estate company Welltower, has become the second-highest-paid CEO in the world, receiving a compensation package worth $821 million (approximately ₹7,744 crore) in 2025.
According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, only Elon Musk earned more during the year, with a compensation package valued at $158 billion.
The report highlights a sharp rise in executive compensation across Corporate America, with 2025 witnessing the highest number of CEOs earning nine-figure pay packages since 2021. Nearly a dozen top executives reportedly received compensation exceeding $200 million.
From Kolkata to Leading a Global Real Estate Giant
Shankh Mitra's journey to the top of corporate America began in Kolkata, where he completed his Bachelor of Engineering in Instrumentation and Electronics Engineering from Jadavpur University.
He later moved to the United States and earned an MBA in Applied Value Investing from Columbia Business School, laying the foundation for a successful career in investment management and real estate.
Before joining Welltower, Mitra held senior investment positions at Citadel LLC and Millennium Management, specialising in real estate securities and large-scale investment portfolios.
Leadership at Welltower
Mitra joined Welltower in 2016 and quickly rose through the ranks. He was appointed Chief Investment Officer in 2018 before taking over as Chief Executive Officer in 2020.
During his appointment, the company's leadership praised his investment expertise, strategic vision and operational capabilities, crediting him with strengthening Welltower's long-term growth strategy.
Mitra had described his appointment as a privilege and thanked the company's board and employees for their confidence in his leadership.
Majority of Compensation Linked to Long-Term Stock Awards
Unlike traditional CEO salaries, the majority of Mitra's record-breaking compensation came through performance-based stock awards.
Nearly $789 million of the package was awarded in company shares. Thanks to Welltower's strong stock market performance, the value of those shares reportedly crossed $1 billion by the end of the year.
However, the payout is structured around long-term performance. A significant portion of the shares will vest only if Mitra remains with the company until 2031, while the remaining awards depend on Welltower achieving ambitious financial and market performance targets over the coming years.
Indian-Origin Leaders Continue to Shine Globally
The report also noted that Welltower became one of the few companies where four senior executives each received compensation packages exceeding $100 million during the same year.
Besides Elon Musk and Shankh Mitra, the list of top-paid executives includes George Kurtz, Hock Tan, David Zaslav, and Stephen Schwarzman.
Another Indian-origin executive, Nikesh Arora, CEO of Palo Alto Networks, also secured a place among the world's highest-paid CEOs, ranking eighth with compensation worth $100 million.
Executive Compensation Reaches New Highs
The surge in executive pay reflects improving corporate performance, rising stock prices and increased reliance on long-term equity-based compensation to reward leadership.
Industry experts note that performance-linked stock awards have become a preferred method for aligning executive incentives with shareholder value, especially among large publicly listed companies.