Tim Cook steps down as Apple CEO after 15 years, John Ternus named successor
Original: A look at Tim Cook’s 15-year legacy as CEO of Apple
Why This Matters
Marks end of transformative era for world's most valuable company
Tim Cook is stepping down as Apple CEO on September 1, 2026, after 15 years leading the company. John Ternus, senior VP of hardware engineering, will succeed him. Under Cook's leadership, Apple's market cap grew from $350 billion to $4.01 trillion.
Tim Cook will step down as Apple CEO on September 1, 2026, with John Ternus taking over as his successor. During Cook's 15-year tenure since 2011, Apple's market capitalization increased tenfold from under $350 billion to $4.01 trillion, passing $1 trillion in 2018, $2 trillion in 2020, $3 trillion in 2022, and $4 trillion in 2025. The company reported $112 billion in net income for fiscal 2025, an eight-fold increase from 2010. Cook expanded Apple's product ecosystem beyond iPhones and computers, launching the Apple Watch in 2015, AirPods in 2016, and Apple Vision Pro in 2024. He also expanded Apple's retail presence, adding roughly 200 stores globally and strengthening the company's presence in China.