Tim Cook Surpasses Steve Jobs' Tenure as Apple CEO

Tim Cook has officially surpassed Steve Jobs' tenure as the Chief Executive Officer of Apple, marking a significant milestone in the company's history. As of August 1, 2025, Cook has served as CEO for 5,091 days, while Jobs held the position for 5,090 days.

This change in leadership duration is attributed in part to Jobs' absence from the CEO role during several periods prior to his return to Apple in 1997. Jobs was not the CEO from the company's founding in 1976 until his first departure in 1985, during which he held the title of Chairman of the Board. After his return, he served as interim CEO before officially taking on the CEO title in January 2000, a role he held until his resignation in August 2011, shortly before his passing in October of that year.

During several instances from 2004 through 2011, Cook, who at that time was the Chief Operating Officer, temporarily filled in for Jobs due to health issues. However, these periods are not included in the count of Cook's days as CEO. Under Cook's leadership, Apple has seen significant growth and profitability, launching numerous successful products, including the iPhone, with over three billion units sold to date.

Looking ahead, industry speculation suggests that Cook may remain in his CEO role for at least another five years. Cook, who will turn 65 in November, leads a management team that is also aging, with many members in their late fifties to early sixties. While there are signs of a generational shift within the company, the transition appears gradual, as evidenced by the recent appointment of a slightly younger successor to COO Jeff Williams.

Steve Jobs co-founded Apple alongside Steve Wozniak and Ron Wayne in 1976. Over the years, the company has seen various CEOs, including Michael Scott, Michael Markkula, and John Sculley, the latter of whom had a notable conflict with Jobs regarding the costs associated with the Macintosh. Jobs' return to the company in 1997 came through the acquisition of his company NeXT, which led to the development of the operating systems that power Apple products today.

Tim Cook joined Apple in 1998, initially serving as Senior Vice President for Worldwide Operations. He played a crucial role in restructuring Apple's supply chain, particularly moving operations to China, which significantly enhanced efficiency and profitability. However, the company now faces challenges due to tariffs imposed during the previous U.S. administration.