UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was shot and killed outside Manhattan’s Hilton Hotel on Wednesday.
He is survived by his wife Paulette ‘Pauley’ Thompson, 51, and their two children who live in the family’s $1.5 million home in Maple Grove, Minnesota.
Mom-of-two Pauley is a practicing physical therapist for Park Nicollet Health Services with over 20 years of experience.
She was born in Webster City, Iowa and received her Masters of Physical Therapy from the University of Iowa in 1999 – the same college her husband Brian graduated from.
The mother has previously posted doting photos of herself and her two sons on family vacations, and gushed about how she loves spending time with her family and friends.
Following the death of her husband, Pauley told NBC News that Brian had been recently receiving threats from people complaining about a ‘lack of [healthcare] coverage.’
She said: ‘There had been some threats. Basically, I don’t know, a lack of coverage? I don’t know details. I just know that he said there were some people that had been threatening him.
‘I can’t really give a thoughtful response right now. I just found this out and I’m trying to console my children.’ She said police told her it was a ‘planned attack.’
Pauley Thompson’s work biography reads: ‘I love spending time with my two boys and taking them to all of their activities. I also love boating, spending time with family and friends, playing piano, biking, and traveling.
‘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.’
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz sent his condolences to the family on X addressing the horrific shooting.
‘This is horrifying news and a terrible loss for the business and health care community in Minnesota. Minnesota is sending our prayers to Brian’s family and the UnitedHealthcare team,’ he said.
The shooting unfolded around 6:45am in Midtown, just hours before New Yorkers are set to gather in the neighborhood for the annual Christmas tree lighting at Rockefeller Center.
Thompson, 50, was fatally shot in the chest in a possibly targeted attack by a masked man, who then fled down 6th Avenue and is being sought by police.
The CEO was rushed to Mount Sinai Hospital in critical condition, and was later pronounced dead.
Thompson, who was named UnitedHealthcare CEO in 2021 and earned a reported $10 million a year, was slated to speak at an investor meeting at the Hilton Hotel soon after the shooting.
