ACCESSING CLASSIFIED FILES
Decrypting documents...
Your connection is being monitored
Back to Individuals
medium risk
Werner Baumann
Former CEO, Bayer AG
Corporate executive who oversaw Monsanto acquisition
Overview
Werner Baumann served as CEO of Bayer AG from 2016 to 2023, overseeing the companys $63 billion acquisition of Monsanto in 2018. The acquisition saddled Bayer with massive legal liability from tens of thousands of Roundup cancer lawsuits, wiping out tens of billions in shareholder value and making it one of the most value-destructive corporate mergers in history.
Key Affiliations
Controversies & Concerns
Led Bayer $63 billion acquisition of Monsanto in 2018, inheriting over 125,000 pending and potential Roundup herbicide cancer lawsuits
Bayer agreed to pay approximately $11 billion to settle Roundup lawsuits, with ongoing litigation continuing to add to the toll
Bayer market capitalization declined by approximately $70 billion following the Monsanto acquisition, destroying shareholder value
Shareholders voted 55% against ratifying the management board actions in a historic no-confidence vote in 2019, though the vote was non-binding under German law
Continued to market Roundup without cancer warnings despite multiple jury verdicts finding the product caused non-Hodgkin lymphoma
Related Investigations (2)
Criminal Charges & Violations
2 documented violations
Product LiabilityRoundup cancer cases($10B+ SETTLEMENTS)
Rome Statute Article 7(1)(k)Crimes Against Humanity, Mass poisoning(INTERNATIONAL)
Sources & Documentation
1 documented sources from official records, investigations, and reports
Personal Information
- Born
- April 26, 1962
- Birthplace
- Krefeld, Germany
Education
- •University of Cologne, Business Administration and Chemistry
Key Timeline
2016-05-01
Became CEO of Bayer AG
2018-06-07
Completed $63 billion acquisition of Monsanto
2019-04-26
Shareholders deliver historic no-confidence vote against management
2020-06-24
Agreed to $10.9 billion Roundup settlement
2023-06-01
Stepped down as Bayer CEO