Tim Cook recalls Steve Jobs' urgent push for him to become Apple CEO
Tim Cook said Steve Jobs called him in August 2011 and demanded an immediate handover, leading to Cook’s appointment as Apple’s chief executive.
In the wake of his move to executive chairman and John Ternus’s promotion to CEO, Tim Cook shared an old interview clip in which he described a sudden August 2011 call from Steve Jobs. Jobs told Cook he was determined to create Apple’s first orderly CEO transition and wanted Cook to take the helm immediately. Cook said the request caught him off guard, as he had believed Jobs would recover and that succession would occur later.
He explained that Jobs had previously discussed the idea of him becoming CEO but not at that moment, and that Jobs selected him for his distinct temperament rather than as a replica. During the conversation, Cook playfully asked how responsibilities would be divided, highlighting their collaborative planning. Cook emphasized that he never aimed to emulate Jobs, focusing instead on being the best version of himself for Apple.
Why it matters
The story reveals how Apple’s leadership change was deliberately orchestrated by Steve Jobs, shaping the company's direction.
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