Apple CEO Steve Jobs Steps Down for Health Reasons

Gillian Reagan — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 21:57:00 -0400

After months of giving press and share holders the runaround about his health, Steve Jobs is stepping down as CEO of Apple to "focus on his health" until the end of June. Apple's current COO, Tim Cook, will take over his daily duties. Mr. Jobs explained in an open letter to the Apple community earlier this month that doctors have found "a hormone imbalance that has been "robbing" me of the proteins my body needs to be healthy. Sophisticated blood tests have confirmed this diagnosis."

Here is an email he sent to employees this afternoon, courtesy of Mashable.

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.

Observer » Apple CEO Steve Jobs Steps Down for Health Reasons

Apple CEO Steve Jobs Steps Down for Health Reasons