Tim Cook talks about when he plans to retire from Apple

Apple CEO Tim Cook — much like Steve Jobs before him — has become synonymous with the company. He’s been around so long and through so much of Apple’s journey that practically everyone interested in smartphones knows his name. In a recent interview Cook — or Tim Apple as his meme name goes — talked a bit about his views on retirement and when he sees it happening.The interview, which focused a lot on the history of Apple, turned to Cook’s role as CEO as it neared the end. When asked how long he saw himself staying at the company Cook said that that was a question he got asked a lot more nowadays. He said that he was clearly visibly getting on in years and so it wasn’t really a surprise.

As for the question of retirement Cook gave a bit of a non-answer that was touching and relatable at the same time.

— Tim Cook (CEO at Apple), Wired, December 2024

Of course, as Cook mentions, Apple has been a significant part of his adult life. His identity now is so intertwined with the company that people will likely never see him as anything other than the CEO of Apple.