Apple CEO Tim Cook Responds to Retirement Rumors - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Apple CEO Tim Cook Responds to Retirement Rumors

by

In an interview with Good Morning America's Michael Strahan this week, Apple's CEO Tim Cook responded to rumors about his potential retirement.

Tim Cook MacBook
Cook said the idea that he wants to step back at Apple is merely "a rumor."

Cook did not explicitly confirm or deny that he will be stepping down as CEO any time soon, but he said "I can't imagine life without Apple."

The full interview clip is available on YouTube below.


Last year, the Financial Times reported that Apple was preparing for Cook to step down as soon as early 2026, but it is already mid-March, so that timeframe has either already passed or is nearing its expiry date depending on who you ask.

Apple's Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering, John Ternus, is widely viewed as Cook's most likely successor. Cook reportedly gave oversight of Apple's design teams to Ternus at the end of last year, and Ternus has been making a lot more public appearances in interviews and in product introduction videos over the past few years.

Cook has been Apple's CEO since August 2011, and he turned 65 last year.

Whenever he steps down, Cook could always become the executive chairman of Apple's board of directors, so he may play a key role in the company for years to come.

Tag: Tim Cook

Top Rated Comments

Naraxus Avatar
Naraxus
4 weeks ago
It will truely be a loss when he retires
Score: 41 Votes (Like | Disagree)
S
Sheepish-Lord
4 weeks ago
Tim Cook has been in the seat for so long and made Apple the behemoth it is today. At the time of Steve Jobs passing Apple was valued at ~$340 Billion ($490B today) and is now ~3.75 Trillion. Cook announcing retirement would single handedly impact industry relations and the stock market...you don't do that on Good Morning America or announce it without board approval.
Score: 32 Votes (Like | Disagree)
WarmWinterHat Avatar
WarmWinterHat
4 weeks ago

"I can't imagine life without Apple."
I can sure Imagine an Apple without Tim Cook.
Score: 28 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ShivneelSingh Avatar
ShivneelSingh
4 weeks ago
Bro at this point, just retire.

Liquid Glass is a mess.
Apple Intelligence is an oxymoron.
Score: 27 Votes (Like | Disagree)
CalMin Avatar
CalMin
4 weeks ago

Bro at this point, just retire.

Liquid Glass is a mess.
Apple Intelligence is an oxymoron.
While you could argue that the company hasn't delivered on these specific items, buy and hold investors have done extremely well under Cook's stewardship of the company. Is he the most visionary or inspiring leader? Perhaps not, but he has done very well by the most important measure of all for the CEO of a publicly traded company - stockholder returns.

He also presided over transition to Apple silicon. While 'Vision Pro' may not be his finest hour, the shift to Apple silicon is a game changing move which enables the company in ways that will transform the Apple and the rest of the PC industry forever.
Score: 24 Votes (Like | Disagree)
G5isAlive Avatar
G5isAlive
4 weeks ago
When he does retire I wonder when someone here will first say ‘Tim cook wouldn’t have let that happen’ I give it 6 months
Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Read All Comments