Tim Cook is going to retire at some point, but probably not next year
Tim Cook celebrated his birthday on November 1st. He is 65 years old. Cook has been Apple’s CEO for 14 years – Apple’s longest-serving CEO – and has been with the company for 27 years. It’s been many years, which means people (at least in the media) are speculating about when Cook will leave his post.
A recent report from the Financial Times (which requires reading) claims that Apple is developing a succession plan for Cook, who could resign as early as next year. However, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, who is quite familiar with what’s going on inside Apple Park and reported on Apple’s future management plans in October, responded to the FT article by saying he didn’t think a change was “imminent.” Gurman suggested the possibility that the report was planted and previously reported that VP of Hardware Engineering John Ternus was being considered as a successor.
Although retirement seems like something many of us look forward to, that doesn’t seem to be the case for Cook. In January, Cook appeared on the Table Manners podcast to talk about the role work plays in his life. He had his first job at age 12 delivering newspapers and has always had a job. “My upbringing,” Cook said on the podcast, “a lot of it was centered around work and the belief that hard work was essential for everyone, no matter your age.”
Until these recent reports, it looked like Cook would be CEO for at least a few more years. But a lot has changed since that interview, changes that would make many people wonder if Cook is doing the right thing. There are also the challenges Apple faces in a technology sector defined by the development of AI, an area in which Apple has struggled to find its footing. All of this could make Cook consider stepping down and letting fresh blood take over. It’s also possible that Cook sees the changes as a challenge he’s happy to take on.
Regardless, there are rumors (whether implanted or not) of changes coming to Apple’s top executives. The next time we can get a first-hand look may be at the 2026 annual shareholder meeting, which is typically held in February. While Apple is unlikely to make an executive announcement at that time, it will be a way to “measure the temperature of the room,” so to speak.
Apple has enjoyed unprecedented success under Cook’s tenure, with its most recent quarter breaking records for the company and surpassing $100 billion. Whoever takes his place, when the time comes, will have very big shoes to fill.
