Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella's Pay Rises 63% Despite Cybersecurity Issues

Nadella's compensation increase comes amid significant stock awards and a self-requested reduction in cash incentives following security breaches.

Satya Nadella's total compensation for 2024 reached $79.1 million, primarily due to stock awards valued at $71 million.
Despite requesting a reduction, Nadella's cash incentive was cut to $5.2 million from a potential $10.7 million due to cybersecurity accountability.
Microsoft faced multiple high-profile cyberattacks, prompting a focus on improving security measures and tying executive pay to security performance.
The company's market value surpassed $3 trillion, driven by AI advancements and a 28% increase in stock price over the year.
Nadella's compensation reflects Microsoft's strong fiscal performance and strategic investments, including its AI initiatives and the Activision Blizzard acquisition.