Tim Cook
Born 1960 · Age 65
American business executive; joined Apple in 1998 and has served as CEO since August 24, 2011. Known for supply-chain mastery, advocacy on privacy/environment/LGBT issues, and leading Apple to multi‑trillion dollar valuations.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Mobile, Alabama
Timothy Donald Cook was born in Mobile, Alabama; grew up in nearby Robertsdale.
Graduated Robertsdale High School (salutatorian)
Graduated salutatorian from the public Robertsdale High School in Alabama.
Earned BS in Industrial Engineering, Auburn University
Received a Bachelor of Science (industrial engineering) from Auburn University.
Joined IBM (start of 12-year tenure)
Began work at IBM in its personal computer business; would spend ~12 years there.
MBA, Duke University's Fuqua School (Fuqua Scholar)
Earned an MBA from Duke University; named a Fuqua Scholar (top ~10%).
Left IBM; became COO of Intelligent Electronics reseller division
After 12 years at IBM, moved to become chief operating officer of the reseller division at Intelligent Electronics.
Misdiagnosed with multiple sclerosis
Experienced a misdiagnosis of multiple sclerosis; later said it changed his perspective and led to charity involvement.
Vice President, Corporate Materials at Compaq
Joined Compaq as vice president for corporate materials (procurement and inventory); left after six months.
Decision to join Apple (personal milestone)
Cook has said meeting Steve Jobs and following his intuition led him to leave Compaq and join Apple — a 'once-in-a-lifetime' career decision.
Joined Apple as Senior VP for Worldwide Operations
Recruited by Steve Jobs and joined Apple (March 1998) as senior vice president for worldwide operations.
Apple returned to profitability (within ~1 year of hire)
Within about a year of Cook joining, Apple reported a return to profitability following prior losses.
Inventory optimization milestone (turnover reduced to days)
Under Cook's operations leadership Apple reduced inventory from months to days (cited as a major supply-chain achievement around early 2000s).
Served as interim CEO / head of Macintosh division
Acted as interim CEO and led the Macintosh division while Steve Jobs took a medical leave for surgery.
Promoted to Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Apple
Became Apple's COO; oversaw worldwide operations, supply chain and sales.
Joined Nike board of directors
Appointed to the board of Nike, Inc.; has served on Nike's board since 2005.
Began long-term investments in flash memory
Cook's operations team began making long-term deals (e.g., flash memory) to secure component supply for iPod/iPhone/iPad.
Promoted to lead operations
In January 2007 Cook was promoted to lead operations at Apple as the company expanded rapidly.
Served as interim CEO during Jobs' medical leave
In 2009, when Steve Jobs took a medical leave, Cook ran most day-to-day company operations.
Offered portion of his liver to Steve Jobs
Reportedly offered a portion of his liver to Steve Jobs due to shared rare blood type; Jobs declined.
Reported large 2011 compensation from stock awards/bonuses
Reports at the time noted Cook's total 2011 compensation (stock awards/bonuses) in the hundreds of millions (reported ~$378M).
Named one of Forbes' World's Most Powerful People
In November 2011, Cook was listed among Forbes' 'World's Most Powerful People'.
Appointed CEO of Apple Inc.
Named chief executive officer of Apple after Steve Jobs resigned as CEO and became chairman.
Death of Steve Jobs
Apple co‑founder and former CEO Steve Jobs died of complications from pancreatic cancer six weeks after Cook became CEO.
Appeared on Time 100 list
Cook was included in Time magazine's annual '100 most influential people' list in 2012.
Major Apple executive reshuffle (Forstall & Browett depart)
After Apple Maps problems, Scott Forstall resigned and John Browett was dismissed; Forstall duties redistributed to Jony Ive, Craig Federighi, Eddy Cue and Bob Mansfield.
Hired Lisa Jackson to lead Apple's renewable energy/environment efforts
Cook hired former EPA head Lisa Jackson in 2013 to expand Apple's environmental and renewable energy initiatives.
Awards: Financial Times Person of the Year (2014)
Awarded Financial Times Person of the Year for 2014.
Inducted into Alabama Academy of Honor
In October 2014 Cook was inducted into the Alabama Academy of Honor and spoke on LGBT rights in the state.
Publicly challenged shareholders on sustainability
At a shareholder meeting Cook challenged investors to leave the stock if they disagreed with Apple's stance on sustainability and climate change.
Apple acquires Beats Electronics and Beats Music
Apple announced its largest acquisition to date — Beats Electronics and Beats Music — for $3 billion; Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine joined Apple.
Announced OS X Yosemite at WWDC
At WWDC 2014 Apple announced the OS X Yosemite update (desktop & mobile integration improvements).
Unveiled iPhone 6 / iPhone 6 Plus and Apple Pay; announced Apple Watch
Apple introduced iPhone 6/6 Plus (larger screens), Apple Pay; also unveiled the Apple Watch (released 2015).
Publicly came out as gay (Bloomberg op-ed)
In a Bloomberg Businessweek editorial Cook publicly came out as gay — the first Fortune 500 CEO to do so — citing desire to help others and advocate for equality.
Apple Watch released; Apple Music launched
Apple Watch (first major new product under Cook) launched for sale in 2015; Apple Music launched in 2015 as well.
Named to Duke University board of trustees (six-year term)
Cook was appointed to Duke University's board of trustees for a six-year term.
Awards: Ripple of Change; Fortune's World's Greatest Leader; HRC Visibility Award
Received multiple recognitions in 2015 including Ripple of Change, Fortune's World's Greatest Leader, and Human Rights Campaign's Visibility Award.
Announced plan to donate his fortune to charity
Cook stated in March 2015 he planned to donate his fortune to philanthropic causes (after family expenses).
Signed large China investment deal (reported ~$275B)
Reports say Cook negotiated a deal with Chinese officials in 2016 reported at approximately $275 billion to expand Apple's presence/investments in China.
Criticism and controversies over App Store / China policies
Cook and Apple faced scrutiny for App Store takedowns (e.g., Hong Kong protest apps) and censorship concerns tied to China operations and agreements.
Traveled to China to meet government officials
Cook visited China in 2016 to meet officials after local removal/closure of iTunes/Books stores; focused on Apple's operations and regulatory issues.
Honorary Doctor of Science, University of Glasgow
In 2017 Cook received an honorary Doctor of Science from the University of Glasgow.
Speaker at World Internet Conference (China)
Cook was a speaker at the World Internet Conference in China in December 2017.
Delivered Duke University commencement address
Cook delivered the commencement address at Duke University in 2018.
Courage Against Hate award (Anti‑Defamation League)
Received ADL's Courage Against Hate award in 2018.
Apple becomes first U.S. company to reach $1 trillion market cap (2018)
In August 2018 Apple reached $1 trillion market capitalization; Cook had a past restricted stock award that vested and he stood to receive sizeable stock compensation (~$120M reported).
Appointed chairman, advisory board of Tsinghua University's economics school
Cook was named chairman of the advisory board for Tsinghua University's economics school for a three-year term starting October 2019.
Company performance milestone (2011–2020)
From 2011 to 2020 under Cook Apple roughly doubled revenue and profit; market value rose from ~$348B to ~$1.9T.
COVID-19 response: $15M donation and production of face shields
In March 2020 Apple donated $15 million to COVID-19 relief and started producing face shields for medical workers.
Appeared on Time 100 list (2021)
Cook was again listed on Time's 100 most influential people in 2021.
Sold more than 5 million Apple shares (~$750M payout)
In August 2021 Cook sold over five million Apple shares, receiving an approximate $750 million payout.
Honorary Master's degree in Innovation and International Management (Naples)
Received an honorary master's degree from the University of Naples Federico II in Innovation and International Management (2022).
Apple largest technology company by revenue; reported revenue $394.33B
In 2023 Apple was the largest technology company by revenue, reporting approximately US$394.33 billion.
Public advocacy & high-profile appearances continue
Cook continued public appearances and advocacy around privacy, environment and competition; remained focal leader of Apple global visits and events.
Donated $1M to Donald Trump's inaugural committee
Cook personally donated $1 million to Donald Trump's 2025 inaugural committee (reported January 2025).
Forbes net worth estimate (July 2025)
Forbes estimated Tim Cook's net worth at approximately US$2.4 billion as of July 2025.
Attended second inauguration of Donald Trump
Cook attended Donald Trump's second inauguration on January 20, 2025, inside the U.S. Capitol rotunda.
Visited White House; announced $100B additional U.S. investment
On August 6, 2025 Cook visited President Donald Trump, presented a glass plaque with 24K gold base, and announced an additional $100 billion in U.S. investments, bringing Apple's commitment to $600 billion (reported).
Key Achievement Ages
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