Archive · 29 Aug 2026
Apple’s CEO Timeline From Mike Markkula to John Ternus
Apple has had several leaders besides Steve Jobs and Tim Cook.
Mike Markkula helped lead the company in the early 1980s.
John Sculley then became CEO after working at Pepsi.
Michael Spindler and Gil Amelio led Apple during years of declining sales and major changes.
Steve Jobs returned to Apple in 1997 and later became its permanent CEO.
He helped launch products such as the iMac, iPod, iPad, and iPhone.
Tim Cook became CEO in 2011 after Jobs stepped down because of health issues.
The article says John Ternus will become CEO in 2026.
Mike Markkula led Apple from 1981 to 1983 as an interim leader and early financial backer.
John Sculley served as CEO from 1983 to 1993 after moving from Pepsi.
Michael Spindler and Gil Amelio led Apple during a period of declining sales and restructuring from 1993 to 1997.
Steve Jobs returned as interim CEO in 1997, became permanent CEO in 2000, and led Apple until 2011.
Tim Cook succeeded Jobs in 2011, while John Ternus is identified as the next CEO beginning in 2026.
- Who
- Apple’s listed leaders include Mike Markkula, John Sculley, Michael Spindler, Gil Amelio, Steve Jobs, Tim Cook, and John Ternus.
- What
- The article outlines Apple’s CEO succession before and after Steve Jobs and Tim Cook.
- When
- The timeline runs from 1981 through the announced 2026 transition to John Ternus.
- Where
- At Apple.
- Why
- Leadership changed as executives took over, stepped down, or were replaced during periods of restructuring, declining sales, health concerns, and company growth.
- Early interim leader
- Mike Markkula served from 1981 to 1983 and was an early financial backer of Apple.
- John Sculley’s tenure
- Sculley was Apple’s CEO from 1983 to 1993 after working at Pepsi.
- 1993–1997 leadership
- Michael Spindler served from 1993 to 1996, followed by Gil Amelio from 1996 to 1997.
- Steve Jobs’s return
- Jobs became interim CEO in 1997 and permanent CEO in 2000.
- Jobs-era products
- The article credits Jobs’s leadership with new product lines including the iMac, iPod, iPad, and iPhone.
- Tim Cook’s tenure
- Cook became CEO in 2011 after Jobs stepped down because of health issues.
- Planned 2026 transition
- John Ternus is identified as becoming Apple’s CEO in 2026.