Tim Cook Surpasses Steve Jobs as Apple CEO, Celebrating a Record Tenure with No Signs of Slowing Down

Steve Jobs notably served as Apple’s Chief Executive Officer during two critical periods in the company’s history. His initial stint as interim CEO lasted from September 16, 1997, to January 5, 2000, totaling 841 days. Following this, he was appointed as the official CEO on January 5, 2000, remaining in that position until his resignation in 2011. After Jobs stepped down, Tim Cook took over the leadership role. While Jobs is often celebrated for his revolutionary impact on technology, it is Cook who has steered Apple into unprecedented heights, particularly achieving its trillion-dollar market valuation and surpassing Jobs as the longest-serving CEO of the Cupertino-based company.

Tim Cook: A Record 5, 091 Days as Apple CEO, Yet Facing Criticism

According to a report from MacRumors, Tim Cook has officially become Apple’s longest-serving CEO, accumulating a remarkable 5, 091 days in the role—equating to nearly 14 years. This milestone surpasses Steve Jobs, who presided over Apple for a total of 5, 090 days. With Cook surpassing this notable benchmark, industry experts speculate that he is likely to continue leading Apple for the foreseeable future.

Despite delays in embracing artificial intelligence (AI) technology, Apple continues to excel in other sectors. The company recently announced its Q3 2025 earnings, showcasing an impressive revenue of $94.04 billion. Since Tim Cook took charge, Apple’s market capitalization has soared from approximately $348 billion to an astonishing $3.03 trillion, marking nearly a tenfold increase over the past 14 years.

Critics argue that Cook’s inability to capitalize on the current AI boom raises questions about his leadership effectiveness, suggesting that a more product-focused CEO might be a better fit. However, given his track record and the presence of Cook supporters on the company’s board of directors, it seems improbable that he will step down anytime soon. With the current trajectory and recent achievements, it’s likely that Cook will remain at the helm for additional years, continuing to drive Apple’s success.

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