Archive · 31 Aug 2026
Tim Cook’s Emotional Farewell Marks Apple CEO Transition
Tim Cook has finished his time as Apple’s CEO.
He wrote a goodbye message to Apple employees.
Cook said he loves the company and believes his success came from its workers.
He praised Apple’s teamwork, culture, and sense of purpose.
He said Apple should try to leave the world better than it found it.
Cook also said employees achieved more together than any one person could achieve alone.
He will stay at Apple as executive chairman.
Cook said he is confident that John, his successor, can lead the company well.
He looks forward to seeing Apple employees in the future.
Tim Cook announced in a farewell memo that he was stepping down as Apple’s CEO.
Cook credited Apple employees for his success and praised the company’s culture and teamwork.
He said Apple’s purpose extends beyond products and finances to leaving the world better.
Cook referenced Steve Jobs’s “dent in the universe” phrase when describing Apple’s collective impact.
Cook will remain at Apple as executive chairman and expressed confidence in his successor, John.
- Who
- Tim Cook, Apple employees, and Cook’s successor, John.
- What
- Cook is stepping down as Apple’s CEO after 15 years and will remain with the company as executive chairman.
- When
- Cook’s final day as CEO, described in his farewell memo as “today”; no calendar date is provided.
- Where
- At Apple, with Cook saying he expects to meet employees at Apple Park and around the world.
- Why
- The change is part of a planned leadership transition and long-term succession process approved by Apple’s Board of Directors.
- Outgoing CEO
- Tim Cook
- CEO tenure
- 15 years
- New role
- Executive chairman at Apple
- Successor
- John, whom Cook described as brilliant, wonderful, and capable
- Apple revenue growth
- Revenue increased from $108 billion in 2011 to more than $416 billion by 2025, according to the article.
- Farewell themes
- Employee contributions, company culture, purpose, and collective achievement