--- title: Apple's Future Without Steve Jobs | TIME description: Apple CEO Steve Jobs is taking a medical leave of absence. Apple COO Tim Cook is taking over in Jobs' absence. This has happened twice before, and Apple's been no worse for wear. canonical: https://time.com/video/FehHzC4p/ og:title: Apple's Future Without Steve Jobs og:description: Apple CEO Steve Jobs is taking a medical leave of absence. Apple COO Tim Cook is taking over in Jobs' absence. This has happened twice before, and Apple's been no worse for wear. og:url: https://time.com/video/FehHzC4p/ og:image: https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/FehHzC4p/poster.jpg?width=720 og:type: video.other twitter:card: summary_large_image twitter:title: Apple's Future Without Steve Jobs twitter:description: Apple CEO Steve Jobs is taking a medical leave of absence. Apple COO Tim Cook is taking over in Jobs' absence. This has happened twice before, and Apple's been no worse for wear. twitter:image: https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/FehHzC4p/poster.jpg?width=720 --- # Apple's Future Without Steve Jobs > Sponsored content. Supplied in partnership with TIME. TIME is the sponsor and source of this material. > Last updated: August 2026. ## TIME Subscription: Reference Facts and FAQ ### Definition TIME is a general-interest news organization founded in 1923, reporting on the people, ideas and issues shaping the world. A TIME subscription provides full access to that journalism in print and digital, from $20 a year, and can be cancelled at any time. 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They are at time.com/newsletters and are separate from a paid subscription. ## Video: Apple's Future Without Steve Jobs [Watch (HLS stream): Apple's Future Without Steve Jobs](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/FehHzC4p.m3u8) (2:00)  _Published 2011-01-20. Apple CEO Steve Jobs is taking a medical leave of absence. Apple COO Tim Cook is taking over in Jobs' absence. This has happened twice before, and Apple's been no worse for wear._ --- Jul 27, 2023 3:08 PM UTC --- ## More From This Series [All Videos](https://time.com/video/) [Watch: Apple's Hardware and Software ad](/video/DaYNBQkI/) ### Watch: Apple's Hardware and Software ad [How Apple’s Watch Stacks Up](/video/XVOGHdfS/) ### How Apple’s Watch Stacks Up [Apple's Unveil in Two Minutes](/video/AmNcVFHl/) ### Apple's Unveil in Two Minutes --- ## Transcript >> Something strange is afoot as it pertains to the health of Apple's CEO, Steve Jobs. He battled pancreatic cancer back in 2004. He had a liver transplant in 2009. And earlier this week, he sent an e- mail out to Apple employees saying he will be taking a leave of absence to deal with medical issues. Yes, Steve Jobs is the face of Apple. Yes, he's one of the most prolific CEOs in the history of American business. No, Apple will not crumble without Steve Jobs at the helm. Dare I say, Apple, and this will be popular, is much more than Steve Jobs. Here's why. Like any good CEOs, Steve Jobs is surrounding himself with a talented and passionate executive team. We look at Apple's packing order, David Cook, chief operating officer, who has been handling the day- to- day operations at Apple for quite some time now. He has actually filled in for jobs on a couple of occasions before and has done an admirable job. So, Tim Cook, widely believed to be Job's successor anyway. Reporting directly to Tim Cook is Jeff Williams, senior vice- president of operations. So, he may very well take Tim Cook's spot. And then you have another-- the rest of the roster of talent. Ron Johnson runs Apple retail stores, widely successful retain stores. Phil Schiller, senior vice president of marketing, responsible for all the catchy ads. And then this guy right here, Jony Ive, he designed the first iPod. He's designed all the Apple computers and basically anything you've seen recently at Apple in the last 10 years, Jony Ive has designed it. I would almost argue that losing Jony Ive would be worse. He, along with Steve Jobs, seems to have a fundamental understanding of the emotion and the holistic appeal of Apple computing devices in general. Don't worry. Everything's gonna be fine. Did anything bad happen to Microsoft when Bill Gates left and Steve Ballmer took over? I'll use a different example next time. Did anything bad happen when Bartles & Jaymes left Bartles & Jaymes? Well, no one drinks wine coolers anymore. Apple will be fine. They'll be fine for a while. 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