Vicki Hollub
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1960/1/1 (age 65) 🇺🇸 Birmingham, Alabama, U.S. |
| Nationality | 🇺🇸 American |
| Education | BS Mineral Engineering |
| Spouse | Glenn Vige (m. 2001) |
| Career details | |
| Occupation | Occidental Petroleum CEO |
| Compensation | $18.5 million (2024) |
| Net worth | $20-48 million |
Vicki Hollub (born 1960) is an American petroleum engineer serving as President and CEO of Occidental Petroleum Corporation since April 2016, making her the first woman to lead a major American oil company. Fortune named her #32 Most Powerful Women in Business (2016). Born in Birmingham, Alabama, she earned a BS in Mineral Engineering from University of Alabama (1981) and started on Mississippi oil rigs with Cities Service (acquired by Occidental 1982), rising through 35+ years to CEO.
Hollub gained fame and controversy for the $38 billion Anadarko Petroleum acquisition in 2019, personally securing Warren Buffett's financing. Activist investor Carl Icahn called it "one of the worst deals I've ever seen" as Occidental assumed $55 billion total debt. The 2020 oil crash (COVID-19 pandemic + Saudi-Russia price war) sent oil to $20/barrel, Occidental stock fell 75%, and Moody's downgraded bonds to junk. However, Hollub vindicated critics by paying off acquisition in 5 years, achieving $58.8B market cap. Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway now owns 28.8% of Occidental (Buffett: "she's running the company the right way"), and bought OxyChem for $9.7B in October 2025. Married Glenn Vige (independent oilman) in 2001, second marriage. Compensation $18.5M (2024).
Early Life and Career
Born 1960, Birmingham, Alabama. University of Alabama BS Mineral Engineering (1981). Started 1981 with Cities Service on Mississippi oil rigs. Cities Service acquired by Occidental 1982. Rose through ranks 35+ years to CEO April 2016.
CEO Leadership
First woman CEO of major US oil company (2016). Led controversial $38B Anadarko acquisition 2019. Committed Occidental to carbon neutrality (first major oil company with ambitious pledge covering all oil/gas sold).
Personal Life
Married Glenn Vige (independent oilman) 2001, second marriage. Alabama Crimson Tide football fan.
Net Worth & Compensation
Net worth $20-48M (owns 490,672 Occidental shares). Compensation $18.5M (2024), up from $17.7M (2023). 8.4% salary, 91.6% bonuses/stock/options.
Berkshire Hathaway Investment
Warren Buffett's Berkshire owns 28.8% stake (valued $11.9B Oct 2025), plus $8B+ preferred shares paying 8% dividend. Buffett said Hollub "running company the right way" after reading earnings transcript. October 2025: Berkshire bought OxyChem for $9.7B cash (largest Berkshire deal since 2022).
Controversies
- Anadarko Acquisition (2019)**: Paid $38B, assumed $46B debt total, snatched from Chevron. No shareholder vote. Carl Icahn called it "one of worst deals ever," said board bought it to save their jobs, borrowed $40B+ at "massive" 65% premium. T. Rowe Price (6th-largest shareholder) criticized.
- 2020 Crisis**: $55B debt amid COVID oil crash sent prices to $20/barrel. Stock fell 75%. Moody's downgraded to junk March 2020.
- Vindication**: Paid off acquisition in 5 years, $58.8B market cap, quieted doubters.