Steve Jobs taking leave from Apple due to complex health issues

***AppleInsider*** · 01-14-2009, 04:45 PM

Apple chief executive Steve Jobs sent an email to Apple employees on Wednesday revealing that his health-related issues are more complex than he originally thought and that he'll be ceding day-to-day operations to COO Tim Cook until the end of June.

The news arrives just over a week after the executive hoped to calm fears ahead of Macworld by revealing a hormone imbalance as a principle factor in his weight loss throughout 2008.

The surprise revelation is meant to dampen concerns but indirectly corroborates technology blog rumors that Jobs' health was the true reason for the exit, with no guarantees in place that he would present in the future.

Jobs and his company have engineered a near-complete turnaround in their respective approaches to the CEO's health versus most of 2008. Since appearing frail at the WWDC keynote in June, the co-founder and those speaking on his behalf have repeatedly insisted that his condition is a "private matter" and, until December, were only willing to divulge information through an off-the-record phone call to a New York Times journalist.

While sudden and public, however, a health-related break from Apple business isn't uncharacteristic for Jobs. After revealing that he had undergone successful surgery for his pancreatic cancer in 2004, the company head took a month off to recover with Cook again taking the reins.

The full text of Jobs' Wednesday email follows:

Team,

I am sure all of you saw my letter last week sharing something very personal with the Apple community. Unfortunately, the curiosity over my personal health continues to be a distraction not only for me and my family, but everyone else at Apple as well. In addition, during the past week I have learned that my health-related issues are more complex than I originally thought.

In order to take myself out of the limelight and focus on my health, and to allow everyone at Apple to focus on delivering extraordinary products, I have decided to take a medical leave of absence until the end of June.

I have asked Tim Cook to be responsible for Apple's day to day operations, and I know he and the rest of the executive management team will do a great job. As CEO, I plan to remain involved in major strategic decisions while I am out. Our board of directors fully supports this plan.

I look forward to seeing all of you this summer.

Steve

Readers are invited to discuss this matter in our forums.

[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]

DotComCTO · 01-14-2009, 04:47 PM

Just caught that on MarketWatch:

4:39pm 01/14/09 Apple's Jobs: Health issues 'more complex' than thought - MarketWatch
4:39pm 01/14/09 Apple's Jobs: Public curiosity over health a 'distraction' - MarketWatch
4:37pm 01/14/09 Apple's Jobs to remain involved in major strategic decisions - MarketWatch
4:36pm 01/14/09 Apple's Steve Jobs taking medical leave until end of June - MarketWatch
4:37pm 01/14/09 Apple's Tim Cook to handle day-to-day operations - MarketWatch
4:33pm 01/14/09 Apple late-traded shares halted for news pending - MarketWatch
4:32pm 01/14/09 Apple late-traded shares halted - MarketWatch

Hope Steve gets well soon!

--DotComCTO

Donathius · 01-14-2009, 04:47 PM

Get well soon Steve!

**hmurchison** · 01-14-2009, 04:47 PM

Shit there goes my stock

Kaiser777 · 01-14-2009, 04:48 PM

Wow. I hope Steve gets better soon. Best of luck to you!!!

gugy · 01-14-2009, 04:49 PM

Steve, I wish all the best for you.
Get well soon.

parky · 01-14-2009, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hmurchison

Shit there goes my stock

Glad to see you are thinking about Steve's health!

amac4me · 01-14-2009, 04:53 PM

All the best Steve.

durin oakenskin · 01-14-2009, 04:54 PM

All the best to Steve, get well soon!

Booga · 01-14-2009, 04:54 PM

I'm glad he's doing this. He really needs the time off to recouperate. All the best, Mr. Jobs!

iReality85 · 01-14-2009, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DotComCTO

Just caught that on MarketWatch:

4:39pm 01/14/09 Apple's Jobs: Health issues 'more complex' than thought - MarketWatch
4:39pm 01/14/09 Apple's Jobs: Public curiosity over health a 'distraction' - MarketWatch
4:37pm 01/14/09 Apple's Jobs to remain involved in major strategic decisions - MarketWatch
4:36pm 01/14/09 Apple's Steve Jobs taking medical leave until end of June - MarketWatch
4:37pm 01/14/09 Apple's Tim Cook to handle day-to-day operations - MarketWatch
4:33pm 01/14/09 Apple late-traded shares halted for news pending - MarketWatch
4:32pm 01/14/09 Apple late-traded shares halted - MarketWatch

Hope Steve gets well soon!

--DotComCTO

Here's a marketwatch: Apple's stock will bleed tomorrow.

but hopefully not... we'll see.

Sevenfeet · 01-14-2009, 04:56 PM

Best of luck of Steve. But this will start a whole new round of speculation, especially since this came upon learning of "new information" about his condition. Interesting that he's not walking away entirely...he'll still approve or veto major strategic decisions.

Wow, Apple down $10 after trading resumes.

Jimzip · 01-14-2009, 04:56 PM

Ah that sucks for him. Hope he's alright.

Jimzip

Hoss · 01-14-2009, 04:57 PM

The only reason I'm making a selfish comment about a serious health issue is because I wouldn't even know about Apple if it weren't for Steve Jobs. I wouldn't have an imac or an iphone 3G.

Steve Jobs is Apple. Apple will wither on the vine over several months until they're bought out. It's over!

vrkiran · 01-14-2009, 04:57 PM

I am not an apple fanboy. I do love some apple products and do feel they can be improved further in many cases, like all "software" based products are.

Steve has led an incredible comeback in the last 10 years and a couple of years ago, I did not see myself using anything other than iPod. Under his leadership, Apple came out with iPhone, ever improving OSX and a nicely integrated eco system thanks to iTunes.

But I think it was not just Steve. He must have had help from a number of great engineers and strategists at Apple. While wishing Steve well and hoping that he comes back stronger, I wish well for Apple, to develop more leadership and PR faces to keep the great work going.

makesense · 01-14-2009, 04:58 PM

To anyone medically trained, the excuses over the last several months for his declining health were bogus, and may elicit the biggest lawsuits against Apple it has ever seen. Nevertheless, Steve is a good man, and hopefully he recovers.

merdhead · 01-14-2009, 04:58 PM

Steve is dead meat. This is the beginning of the end. "More complex than I though" with a six month break essentially means there's a high probability he's dying. Not so good for stock holders but possibly good for customers. We might get more variety in Apple products without Steve's hard line on various issues.

Oh well, cancer sucks.

g3pro · 01-14-2009, 04:59 PM

Just quit the company already and let more experienced/better executives take over, like Tim Cook and Phil Schiller. We'll be better off without you.

dapple · 01-14-2009, 04:59 PM

We pray for your speedy recovery, Steve.

You are a giant among men.

amac4me · 01-14-2009, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by g3pro

Just quit the company already and let more experienced/better executives take over, like Tim Cook and Phil Schiller. We'll be better off without you.

What kind of comment is that? Steve essentially saved Apple after he came back in 1997. Prior to that, the management almost killed Apple. Steve is a visionary and his influence has clearly been stamped within the Apple culture. This can't be changed overnight by bringing on someone else including Cook or Schiller in the CEO role.

voodooru · 01-14-2009, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by g3pro

Just quit the company already and let more experienced/better executives take over, like Tim Cook and Phil Schiller. We'll be better off without you.

Steve Balmer? How'd you get on here??

Vituperable · 01-14-2009, 05:02 PM

To Hell with the products or the stock! Get well soon Steve. Here is to seeing you this summer fat and healthy!

**hmurchison** · 01-14-2009, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by makesense

To anyone medically trained, the excuses over the last several months for his declining health were bogus, and may elicit the biggest lawsuits against Apple it has ever seen. Nevertheless, Steve is a good man, and hopefully he recovers.

Lawsuits that will get thrown out of court. An individual's medical records and status aren't usurped by the needs of stockholders. I think it's absurd for someone to even think they have a right to know about the health of another. Anyone that has operated under the auspices of HIPPA compliance knows that better.

jdavy · 01-14-2009, 05:04 PM

I wish all the best to SJ and his family. Under his watch Apple has changed the way we listen to music, the way we use cell phones, and made the best darn laptops in the business. Thanks for the fantastic products through the years. Hope you beat this illness and provide us with even more toys in the future. James

icibaqu · 01-14-2009, 05:06 PM

cosign hmurchison.

FlashmanBurgess · 01-14-2009, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hoss

The only reason I'm making a selfish comment about a serious health issue is because I wouldn't even know about Apple if it weren't for Steve Jobs. I wouldn't have an imac or an iphone 3G.

Steve Jobs is Apple. Apple will wither on the vine over several months until they're bought out. It's over!

GIve me a break dude. Steve is a vital part of Apple, but he isn't the only one making the products over there. Apple will get by without his direct involvement. Don't cast a gloom over this, you're the kind of idiot that gets people freaked out.

Get well soon Steve. See you this summer.

gastroboy · 01-14-2009, 05:08 PM

Seems absolute denial by the KoolAid gang didn't work.

Onto Plan B.

digitalclips · 01-14-2009, 05:08 PM

I just went numb when I got the CNN breaking news e-mail and read it.

Get well Steve!

Virgil-TB2 · 01-14-2009, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by merdhead

Steve is dead meat. This is the beginning of the end. "More complex than I though" with a six month break essentially means there's a high probability he's dying. Not so good for stock holders but possibly good for customers. We might get more variety in Apple products without Steve's hard line on various issues.

Oh well, cancer sucks.

The name "merdhead" suits you well. A bigger pile of doo-doo I have never heard.

papalewg723 · 01-14-2009, 05:14 PM

We all recognize Steve's impact on Apple; past, present and future. He has certainly positioned the company well for continued growth and success. This company is STRONG and any drop in stock price will be welcome to savvy investors, myself included.

That being said, take care of yourself, Steve. You and your family deserve a good rest.

Kaiser777 · 01-14-2009, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by merdhead

Steve is dead meat. This is the beginning of the end. "More complex than I though" with a six month break essentially means there's a high probability he's dying. Not so good for stock holders but possibly good for customers. We might get more variety in Apple products without Steve's hard line on various issues.

Oh well, cancer sucks.

What a f**king insensitive bastard you are. If you don't like Apple products then don't buy them.

RichL · 01-14-2009, 05:18 PM

Who cares about APPL? Just get well soon, Mr. Jobs.

TednDi · 01-14-2009, 05:20 PM

Oh shit

Kestral · 01-14-2009, 05:20 PM

It must be pretty bad, especially when you consider that his recent letter said he'd be well by spring, now he's taking a leave of absence until the middle of summer.

Sad day for us Apple fans, all we can hope is that Steve is stronger than cancer.

btw, Steve's cancer has a 5 year survival rate, he's in year 4 and something right now

VisualZone · 01-14-2009, 05:21 PM

All the best Steve for a speedy recovery.

Just something I think some might like to see and hear. Enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1R-jKKp3NA

hiimamac · 01-14-2009, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hmurchison

Shit there goes my stock

Not really - short it!

Borrow 10,000 shares, sell it, then when it drop the predicted 10-15 dollars, you buy it back at the reduced rate then give the shares back and pocket the difference.

Anyway, not really a good time to talk about this.

GET WELL STEVE!!!

VisualZone · 01-14-2009, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kaiser777

What a f**king insensitive bastard you are. If you don't like Apple products then don't buy them.

More like brainless.

kresh · 01-14-2009, 05:23 PM

It does make me wonder. If Steve is admitting it now that the reins have change to Tim, was Steve even involved with the iTunes negotiations? I am beginning to think not since it went against his well known adamant stance.

Olternaut · 01-14-2009, 05:23 PM

Frankly, I'm not surprised by the announcement. Hopefully he gets better before the WWDC. It would be nice to see him in six months with a weight gain and muscle bound like the hulk or something.

g3pro · 01-14-2009, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gastroboy

Seems absolute denial by the KoolAid gang didn't work.

Onto Plan B.

LOL.

Some people in this thread are emotionally shattered by the news that Jobs will be dead pretty soon, pushing up daisies.

They lost their Messiah.

01-14-2009, 04:45 PM	#1
*AppleInsider* Kasper's Automated Slave Join Date: Nov 1997 Posts: 6,159	Steve Jobs taking leave from Apple due to complex health issues Apple chief executive Steve Jobs sent an email to Apple employees on Wednesday revealing that his health-related issues are more complex than he originally thought and that he'll be ceding day-to-day operations to COO Tim Cook until the end of June. The news arrives just over a week after the executive hoped to calm fears ahead of Macworld by revealing a hormone imbalance as a principle factor in his weight loss throughout 2008. The surprise revelation is meant to dampen concerns but indirectly corroborates technology blog rumors that Jobs' health was the true reason for the exit, with no guarantees in place that he would present in the future. Jobs and his company have engineered a near-complete turnaround in their respective approaches to the CEO's health versus most of 2008. Since appearing frail at the WWDC keynote in June, the co-founder and those speaking on his behalf have repeatedly insisted that his condition is a "private matter" and, until December, were only willing to divulge information through an off-the-record phone call to a New York Times journalist. While sudden and public, however, a health-related break from Apple business isn't uncharacteristic for Jobs. After revealing that he had undergone successful surgery for his pancreatic cancer in 2004, the company head took a month off to recover with Cook again taking the reins. The full text of Jobs' Wednesday email follows: Team, I am sure all of you saw my letter last week sharing something very personal with the Apple community. Unfortunately, the curiosity over my personal health continues to be a distraction not only for me and my family, but everyone else at Apple as well. In addition, during the past week I have learned that my health-related issues are more complex than I originally thought. In order to take myself out of the limelight and focus on my health, and to allow everyone at Apple to focus on delivering extraordinary products, I have decided to take a medical leave of absence until the end of June. I have asked Tim Cook to be responsible for Apple's day to day operations, and I know he and the rest of the executive management team will do a great job. As CEO, I plan to remain involved in major strategic decisions while I am out. Our board of directors fully supports this plan. I look forward to seeing all of you this summer. Steve Readers are invited to discuss this matter in our forums. [ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]

01-14-2009, 04:47 PM	#4
hmurchison Global Moderator Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 10,465	Shit there goes my stock Mac mini - 2 , iPod Nano- 1 G4 Cube - 5 , iPod Shuffle -1 Bloggity Blog

01-14-2009, 04:49 PM	#6
gugy Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: la Jolla Posts: 768	Steve, I wish all the best for you. Get well soon. MacPro Octo 2.8 30" & 23" Apple Cinema HD Displays PowerBook G4 550, MacBook Pro 2.2 Ipod 1G, Shuffle 2G, iPhone 3G

01-14-2009, 04:53 PM	#8
amac4me Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 264	All the best Steve. Switch To A Mac http://switchtoamac.com

01-14-2009, 04:56 PM	#13
Jimzip Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada Posts: 429	Ah that sucks for him. Hope he's alright. Jimzip "There's no time like the present, and the only present you'll never get, is time." - Me

01-14-2009, 04:47 PM	#2
DotComCTO Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Westchester, NY Posts: 95	Just caught that on MarketWatch: 4:39pm 01/14/09 Apple's Jobs: Health issues 'more complex' than thought - MarketWatch 4:39pm 01/14/09 Apple's Jobs: Public curiosity over health a 'distraction' - MarketWatch 4:37pm 01/14/09 Apple's Jobs to remain involved in major strategic decisions - MarketWatch 4:36pm 01/14/09 Apple's Steve Jobs taking medical leave until end of June - MarketWatch 4:37pm 01/14/09 Apple's Tim Cook to handle day-to-day operations - MarketWatch 4:33pm 01/14/09 Apple late-traded shares halted for news pending - MarketWatch 4:32pm 01/14/09 Apple late-traded shares halted - MarketWatch Hope Steve gets well soon! --DotComCTO

01-14-2009, 04:47 PM	#3
Donathius Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 15	Get well soon Steve!

01-14-2009, 04:48 PM	#5
Kaiser777 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Chicago Posts: 15	Wow. I hope Steve gets better soon. Best of luck to you!!!

01-14-2009, 04:54 PM	#9
durin oakenskin Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: http://tinyurl.com/lumlm Posts: 196	All the best to Steve, get well soon!

01-14-2009, 04:54 PM	#10
Booga Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Tinton Falls, NJ Posts: 702	I'm glad he's doing this. He really needs the time off to recouperate. All the best, Mr. Jobs!

01-14-2009, 04:56 PM	#12
Sevenfeet Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 41	Best of luck of Steve. But this will start a whole new round of speculation, especially since this came upon learning of "new information" about his condition. Interesting that he's not walking away entirely...he'll still approve or veto major strategic decisions. Wow, Apple down $10 after trading resumes.

01-14-2009, 04:57 PM	#14
Hoss Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 40	Selfish Comment The only reason I'm making a selfish comment about a serious health issue is because I wouldn't even know about Apple if it weren't for Steve Jobs. I wouldn't have an imac or an iphone 3G. Steve Jobs is Apple. Apple will wither on the vine over several months until they're bought out. It's over!

01-14-2009, 04:57 PM	#15
vrkiran Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 9	Come back stronger .. I am not an apple fanboy. I do love some apple products and do feel they can be improved further in many cases, like all "software" based products are. Steve has led an incredible comeback in the last 10 years and a couple of years ago, I did not see myself using anything other than iPod. Under his leadership, Apple came out with iPhone, ever improving OSX and a nicely integrated eco system thanks to iTunes. But I think it was not just Steve. He must have had help from a number of great engineers and strategists at Apple. While wishing Steve well and hoping that he comes back stronger, I wish well for Apple, to develop more leadership and PR faces to keep the great work going.

01-14-2009, 04:58 PM	#16
makesense Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 3	ominous To anyone medically trained, the excuses over the last several months for his declining health were bogus, and may elicit the biggest lawsuits against Apple it has ever seen. Nevertheless, Steve is a good man, and hopefully he recovers.

01-14-2009, 04:58 PM	#17
merdhead Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 585	Steve is dead meat. This is the beginning of the end. "More complex than I though" with a six month break essentially means there's a high probability he's dying. Not so good for stock holders but possibly good for customers. We might get more variety in Apple products without Steve's hard line on various issues. Oh well, cancer sucks.

01-14-2009, 04:59 PM	#18
g3pro Registered User Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Been here since 1998 Posts: 326	Just quit the company already and let more experienced/better executives take over, like Tim Cook and Phil Schiller. We'll be better off without you. you wish

01-14-2009, 04:59 PM	#19
dapple Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 30	We pray for your speedy recovery, Steve. You are a giant among men.

01-14-2009, 05:02 PM	#22
Vituperable Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 6	To Hell with the products or the stock! Get well soon Steve. Here is to seeing you this summer fat and healthy!

01-14-2009, 05:04 PM	#24
jdavy Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 37	I wish all the best to SJ and his family. Under his watch Apple has changed the way we listen to music, the way we use cell phones, and made the best darn laptops in the business. Thanks for the fantastic products through the years. Hope you beat this illness and provide us with even more toys in the future. James

01-14-2009, 05:06 PM	#25
icibaqu Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 250	cosign hmurchison.

01-14-2009, 05:08 PM	#27
gastroboy Banned Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 526	Seems absolute denial by the KoolAid gang didn't work. Onto Plan B.

01-14-2009, 05:08 PM	#28
digitalclips Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: South West Florida Posts: 1,585	I just went numb when I got the CNN breaking news e-mail and read it. Get well Steve! Used all Apples from Apple][ through 8 Core Mac Pro http://www.digitalclips.com

01-14-2009, 05:14 PM	#30
papalewg723 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 3	We all recognize Steve's impact on Apple; past, present and future. He has certainly positioned the company well for continued growth and success. This company is STRONG and any drop in stock price will be welcome to savvy investors, myself included. That being said, take care of yourself, Steve. You and your family deserve a good rest.

01-14-2009, 05:18 PM	#32
RichL Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: UK Posts: 331	Who cares about APPL? Just get well soon, Mr. Jobs.

01-14-2009, 05:20 PM	#33
TednDi Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Earth Posts: 1,729	Oh shit

01-14-2009, 05:20 PM	#34
Kestral Registered User Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Toronto Posts: 162	It must be pretty bad, especially when you consider that his recent letter said he'd be well by spring, now he's taking a leave of absence until the middle of summer. Sad day for us Apple fans, all we can hope is that Steve is stronger than cancer. btw, Steve's cancer has a 5 year survival rate, he's in year 4 and something right now

01-14-2009, 05:21 PM	#35
VisualZone Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Canada Posts: 63	Get well soon!! All the best Steve for a speedy recovery. Just something I think some might like to see and hear. Enjoy. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1R-jKKp3NA

01-14-2009, 05:23 PM	#38
kresh Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: in a strange land, waiting on my King to come and establish His Kingdom! Posts: 259	It does make me wonder. If Steve is admitting it now that the reins have change to Tim, was Steve even involved with the iTunes negotiations? I am beginning to think not since it went against his well known adamant stance. Please click here to help add native TrueCrypt encryption to Pathfinder by voting for this feature in CocoaTech's Feature Suggestion Voting System, No registration required. Spread the word!

01-14-2009, 05:23 PM	#39
Olternaut Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: New York Posts: 1,125	Frankly, I'm not surprised by the announcement. Hopefully he gets better before the WWDC. It would be nice to see him in six months with a weight gain and muscle bound like the hulk or something.

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