Tim Cook Steps Down as Apple CEO, John Ternus Takes the Helm

Tim Cook's final day as CEO of Apple was September 1, 2026, concluding a 15-year period that saw the company evolve into the most valuable corporation globally. Cook expressed gratitude to the Apple community, emphasizing that this was not a farewell but a transition.

John Ternus, who has been with Apple for 25 years and served as senior vice president of hardware engineering, officially took over the CEO role. Cook will transition to executive chairman, focusing on high-level policy and government relations.

Achievements Under Cook's Leadership

When Cook became CEO in August 2011, Apple's market capitalization was approximately $350 billion. Under his leadership, it surged to over $4 trillion, with annual revenues growing from around $108 billion to between $400 billion and $416 billion. Annual profits quadrupled to more than $110 billion, and services revenue exceeded $100 billion, marking a significant shift in Apple's business model.

Farewell Event at Apple Park

A farewell event at Apple Park featured tributes from executives and a performance by OneRepublic. Cook endorsed Ternus as an ideal successor, highlighting his engineering expertise and integrity. Ternus's first major public appearance as CEO is set for Apple's