Tim Cook took the helm at Apple 9 years ago. Here's how he got his start and built Apple into the world's most valuable company.

Avery Hartmans,Joey HaddenSep 10, 2020, 00:01 IST

Cook has been with Apple since 1998 and became the CEO of Apple in 2011 following Steve Jobs.Karl Mondon/Digital First Media/The Mercury News via Getty Images

When Tim Cook took the job as CEO of Apple in August 2011, many wondered if he could fill the shoes left by his friend, colleague, and mentor, Steve Jobs.
A lot has changed since then. Cook has made great strides at Apple, including overseeing the launch of AirPods and the Apple Watch.
But when he was announced for the role, he was a big question mark. He had come out of seemingly nowhere to lead a significantly large company.
Cook quit his job and joined Apple when the company was nearly bankrupt. What a lot of people don't know is that Apple would never have gotten where it is without Cook's help early on in Jobs' reign.
Over the past nine years, Cook has added new product lines for Apple and shifted the company's focus to include services like Apple Music and Apple TV Plus.
Apple recently hit a market cap of $2 trillion and became the world's most valuable company.

Matt Weinberger contributed to an earlier version of this article.

Tim Cook was born in Mobile, Alabama, in 1960. His father, Donald Cook, was a shipyard worker. His mother, Geraldine Cook, worked at a pharmacy.

A shipyard, though not the one Donald Cook worked at. Melia Robinson/Business Insider

Cook graduated from Alabama's Auburn University in 1982 with a degree in industrial engineering.

John Korduner/Replay Photos via Getty Images

From there, Cook joined IBM in its still-new PC division — before Microsoft Windows was even a thing. He eventually became the director of North American fulfillment.

IBM Watson Office 10 (not the IBM office that Cook worked in). Hollis Johnson

From there, Cook joined IBM in its still-new PC division — before Microsoft Windows was even a thing. He eventually became the director of North American fulfillment.

Cook was misdiagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1996, something he says made him view the world in a different way. Since then, he's been a fitness buff and a big giver to MS-related causes.

Apple CEO Tim Cook. Stephen Lam/Getty Images

Cook was misdiagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1996, something he says made him view the world in a different way. Since then, he's been a fitness buff and a big giver to MS-related causes.

Twelve years later, Cook left IBM and jumped into a COO role at a company called Intelligent Electronics. He eventually became vice president of corporate materials at Compaq, then one of the hottest PC manufacturers around.

Compaq CEO Michael Capellas (right) after a press conference in New York on September 4, 2001. Jeff Christensen/Reuters

Twelve years later, Cook left IBM and jumped into a COO role at a company called Intelligent Electronics. He eventually became vice president of corporate materials at Compaq, then one of the hottest PC manufacturers around.

Meanwhile, Steve Jobs had just come into power as Apple's CEO, following the ouster of Gil Amelio. Jobs had the tough task of turning the company around after many years of fading relevance. He went looking for fresh blood for his executive team.

Jobs gives a Keynote speech in 1998. Reuters

Meanwhile, Steve Jobs had just come into power as Apple's CEO, following the ouster of Gil Amelio. Jobs had the tough task of turning the company around after many years of fading relevance. He went looking for fresh blood for his executive team.

So Jobs approached Cook, identifying him as a strong prospect for the new Apple. Cook signed on to Apple in 1998 as SVP of worldwide operations.

Apple CEO Tim Cook. Getty

It must have been a difficult decision for Cook. In 1997, Apple was an industry laughingstock: Michael Dell, one of Microsoft's closest partners, once said that if he were in Jobs' shoes, "I'd shut it down and give the money back to the shareholders."

Michael Dell, right, and Bill Gates, left, at a Windows product launch in 2001. Mario Tama/Getty Images

It must have been a difficult decision for Cook. In 1997, Apple was an industry laughingstock: Michael Dell, one of Microsoft's closest partners, once said that if he were in Jobs' shoes, "I'd shut it down and give the money back to the shareholders."

And experiencing Jobs' biggest flop first-hand just a few years later probably didn't make the transition easier, either: In 2000, Apple released the Power Mac G4 Cube, but the small PC, which Cook called an "engineering marvel," never found its audience.

AP Photo/Richard Drew

And experiencing Jobs' biggest flop first-hand just a few years later probably didn't make the transition easier, either: In 2000, Apple released the Power Mac G4 Cube, but the small PC, which Cook called an "engineering marvel," never found its audience.

But Cook said the "spectacular failure" taught him an important lesson in humility and intellectual honesty. "This was another thing that Steve taught me, actually," Cook said. "You've got to be willing to look yourself in the mirror and say, 'I was wrong, it's not right.'"

CUPERTINO, CA - SEPTEMBER 12: Apple CEO Tim Cook speaks during an Apple special event at the Steve Jobs Theatre on the Apple Park campus on September 12, 2017 in Cupertino, California. Apple is holding their first special event at the new Apple Park campus where they are expected to unveil a new iPhone. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

But Cook said the "spectacular failure" taught him an important lesson in humility and intellectual honesty. "This was another thing that Steve taught me, actually," Cook said. "You've got to be willing to look yourself in the mirror and say, 'I was wrong, it's not right.'"

But everything worked out. One of Cook's biggest early coups was closing Apple's own factories and warehouses and replacing them with contract manufacturers, meaning that devices could be made in larger quantities and get delivered faster.

Ng Han Guan/AP Images

But everything worked out. One of Cook's biggest early coups was closing Apple's own factories and warehouses and replacing them with contract manufacturers, meaning that devices could be made in larger quantities and get delivered faster.

Tim Cook once said of his role: "You kind of want to manage it like you're in the dairy business. If it gets past its freshness date, you have a problem."

Getty/Justin Sullivan

Starting in 2005, Cook made investments that would lay the groundwork for the future of the company, including forming critical deals with manufacturers on flash memory, the computer-storage component that would form the basis for the iPhone and iPad.

Jobs reveals the first iPhone in 2007. Paul Sakuma/AP Images

Starting in 2005, Cook made investments that would lay the groundwork for the future of the company, including forming critical deals with manufacturers on flash memory, the computer-storage component that would form the basis for the iPhone and iPad.

Cook's prescience meant that when competitors sought to build their own phones and tablets, they had to compete for what little factory capacity and components those factories could spare, after they had already fulfilled their commitments to Apple.

An Android phone. Antonio Villas-Boas/Business Insider

Cook's prescience meant that when competitors sought to build their own phones and tablets, they had to compete for what little factory capacity and components those factories could spare, after they had already fulfilled their commitments to Apple.

Thanks to Cook's management expertise, his star within the company rose rapidly. Apple was on the track toward growth and big profits, and Cook got a lot of the credit.

Cook in 2009. Paul Sakuma/AP Images

As his influence grew, Cook became known within the company for his no-mercy, relentless questioning style, his willingness to hold hours-long meetings, and his propensity for sending emails at all hours and expecting answers.

Cook, Jobs, and Phil Schiller, EVP Product Marketing, answer questions about the new iMac in 2007. David Paul Morris/Getty Images

As his influence grew, Cook became known within the company for his no-mercy, relentless questioning style, his willingness to hold hours-long meetings, and his propensity for sending emails at all hours and expecting answers.

In 2007, Apple introduced the iPhone — the device that would change everything.

Jobs unveils the iPhone in 2007. David Paul Morris/Getty Images

That same year, Jobs brought Cook a little closer into the core of the business by naming him COO. At this point, Apple insiders say, he was already running much of the business, with Jobs just there to make important product decisions.

Cook and Jobs answer questions at a press conference in 2010. Kimberly White/Reuters

That same year, Jobs brought Cook a little closer into the core of the business by naming him COO. At this point, Apple insiders say, he was already running much of the business, with Jobs just there to make important product decisions.

As COO, Cook made more appearances at public events, getting out in front of executives, customers, partners, and investors.

Cook examines the Macbook Air at a special event at the company's headquarters in 2010. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

In 2009, Tim Cook was named interim CEO while Steve Jobs was on leave to manage his declining health. Jobs had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2003, and it was starting to take its toll.

Jobs presents iMovie during the 2003 Macworld Conference and Expo. Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP Images

In 2009, Tim Cook was named interim CEO while Steve Jobs was on leave to manage his declining health. Jobs had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2003, and it was starting to take its toll.

In 2009, Cook actually offered Jobs a portion of his liver, since they share a rare blood type. But Jobs refused, saying, "I'll never let you do that. I'll never do that."

Cook and Jobs answer questions about the iPhone 4 in 2010. Kimberly White/Reuters

In 2009, Cook actually offered Jobs a portion of his liver, since they share a rare blood type. But Jobs refused, saying, "I'll never let you do that. I'll never do that."

In January 2011, Cook took over as interim CEO once again while Jobs was on medical leave. In August 2011, Jobs resigned his role to focus on his health — the board then named Cook permanent CEO of Apple.

Cook speaking at an Apple launch event in New York in 2018. Shannon Stapleton/Reuters

In January 2011, Cook took over as interim CEO once again while Jobs was on medical leave. In August 2011, Jobs resigned his role to focus on his health — the board then named Cook permanent CEO of Apple.

When Jobs died in October 2011, Cook had the flags of the Apple campus flown at half staff in his memory.

The flags at Apple's headquarters on the day following Jobs' death. Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP Images

Cook reportedly considers the time following Job's death as the loneliest time of his life.

J. Scott Applewhite/AP Images

Cook told Stanford University's graduating class of 2019 that mentors can leave you prepared but not ready. Cook said that after Jobs' death, "when the dust settled, all he knew was that he was going to have to be the best version of himself that he could be."

Cook spoke at Stanford in 2005 and then again in 2019. AP Photo/Alex Brandon

Cook told Stanford University's graduating class of 2019 that mentors can leave you prepared but not ready. Cook said that after Jobs' death, "when the dust settled, all he knew was that he was going to have to be the best version of himself that he could be."

But Cook had some big shoes to fill. The iPhone, especially, is an internationally beloved product, and Jobs is held up as one of the greatest CEOs in history. "His greatest gift ... was not a singular product, but rather Apple itself," Cook said of Jobs in 2017.

Tim Cook presenting at an iPhone event. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

But Cook had some big shoes to fill. The iPhone, especially, is an internationally beloved product, and Jobs is held up as one of the greatest CEOs in history. "His greatest gift ... was not a singular product, but rather Apple itself," Cook said of Jobs in 2017.

Jobs once said that making things with "a great deal of care and love" is ultimately the thing that "keeps Apple, Apple," and Cook has said that he believes Jobs' vision lives on everywhere at Apple.

Apple CEO Tim Cook prepares a keynote presentation. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Jobs once said that making things with "a great deal of care and love" is ultimately the thing that "keeps Apple, Apple," and Cook has said that he believes Jobs' vision lives on everywhere at Apple.

In the months following Jobs' resignation and then his death, there was a lot of uncertainty over whether or not Apple could keep the momentum going under Cook.

Cook's first presentation as CEO. Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

Though Cook was now in the limelight as CEO of Apple, he followed Jobs' example as a public figure and has remained intensely private when it came to his personal life, directing the attention as much as possible back on Apple.

Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Though Cook was now in the limelight as CEO of Apple, he followed Jobs' example as a public figure and has remained intensely private when it came to his personal life, directing the attention as much as possible back on Apple.

In 2014, though, Cook ended years of speculation by publicly announcing, in an editorial in Bloomberg Businessweek, that he was gay. That made Cook the first openly gay CEO of a Fortune 500 company.

Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP Images

In 2014, though, Cook ended years of speculation by publicly announcing, in an editorial in Bloomberg Businessweek, that he was gay. That made Cook the first openly gay CEO of a Fortune 500 company.

During his tenure as CEO, Cook has kept a lot of important Apple traditions alive, including appearances by rock stars like the Foo Fighters at big company events ...

Cook and Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl. Beck Diefenbach/Reuters

... and Jobs' famous "one more thing" product announcements.

Apple CEO Tim Cook Stephen Lam/Reuters

But some things have changed under Cook's watch. The best example is Scott Forstall, former Apple VP of iOS, who stepped down from his role in 2012.

Cook and Forstall at the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference in 2012. Stephen Lam/Reuters

In 2015, Apple released the Apple Watch, the company's first entirely new product in the post-Jobs era.

Cook and model Christy Turlington at the Apple Watch launch event. Robert Galbraith/Reuters

And in 2016, Apple introduced AirPods, tiny wireless earbuds that have become a runaway hit and important product for Apple's growth. The company unveiled an upgraded version called AirPods Pro in 2019.

Crystal Cox/Business Insider

And in 2016, Apple introduced AirPods, tiny wireless earbuds that have become a runaway hit and important product for Apple's growth. The company unveiled an upgraded version called AirPods Pro in 2019.

Apple has also expanded its iPhone lineup under Cook, adding lower cost iPhones like the iPhone SE and the iPhone 11, as well as more expensive "pro" models that cost more than $1,000.

The iPhone 11. Crystal Cox/Business Insider

Apple has also expanded its iPhone lineup under Cook, adding lower cost iPhones like the iPhone SE and the iPhone 11, as well as more expensive "pro" models that cost more than $1,000.

In recent years, Apple has expanded beyond hardware to focus on subscription services like Apple Music, Apple TV Plus, and Apple News Plus, services that help retain existing Apple customers. Apple's services division — as well as wearables — is now a major factor in fueling the company's growth.

Getty/Michael Short/Stringer

In recent years, Apple has expanded beyond hardware to focus on subscription services like Apple Music, Apple TV Plus, and Apple News Plus, services that help retain existing Apple customers. Apple's services division — as well as wearables — is now a major factor in fueling the company's growth.

In the last 18 months, Apple has seen a few more high-profile execs depart: Apple's retail chief Angela Ahrendts departed in April 2019; Jony Ive, Apple's design chief and another of Jobs' close friends, left the company that June; and marketing chief Phil Schiller announced he was stepping down in August 2020.

From left: Tim Cook, Jony Ive, and Dave Grohl. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

In the last 18 months, Apple has seen a few more high-profile execs depart: Apple's retail chief Angela Ahrendts departed in April 2019; Jony Ive, Apple's design chief and another of Jobs' close friends, left the company that June; and marketing chief Phil Schiller announced he was stepping down in August 2020.

But Apple's growth hasn't slowed: In August, it hit a $2 trillion market cap, becoming the world's most valuable company.

Apple's surge to $2 trillion helped Cook reach billionaire status for the first time.

Getty

Cook doesn't live lavishly, however. He lives in a $2.3 million home in Palo Alto, California, but rarely takes expensive vacations and doesn't own yachts or private planes like other tech CEOs.

REUTERS/Rick Wilking

Cook doesn't live lavishly, however. He lives in a $2.3 million home in Palo Alto, California, but rarely takes expensive vacations and doesn't own yachts or private planes like other tech CEOs.

Cook has pledged to give away most of his wealth and has gifted millions in Apple shares already, according to Bloomberg.

Getty Images/Chip Somodevilla

Apple took the wraps off its first floating store to reveal a glowing glass orb — and it's only hours away from opening

Cookies on the Business Insider India website

Tim Cook took the helm at Apple 9 years ago. Here's how he got his start and built Apple into the world's most valuable company.

Tim Cook was born in Mobile, Alabama, in 1960. His father, Donald Cook, was a shipyard worker. His mother, Geraldine Cook, worked at a pharmacy.

Cook graduated from Alabama's Auburn University in 1982 with a degree in industrial engineering.

From there, Cook joined IBM in its still-new PC division — before Microsoft Windows was even a thing. He eventually became the director of North American fulfillment.

Cook was misdiagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1996, something he says made him view the world in a different way. Since then, he's been a fitness buff and a big giver to MS-related causes.

Twelve years later, Cook left IBM and jumped into a COO role at a company called Intelligent Electronics. He eventually became vice president of corporate materials at Compaq, then one of the hottest PC manufacturers around.

Meanwhile, Steve Jobs had just come into power as Apple's CEO, following the ouster of Gil Amelio. Jobs had the tough task of turning the company around after many years of fading relevance. He went looking for fresh blood for his executive team.

So Jobs approached Cook, identifying him as a strong prospect for the new Apple. Cook signed on to Apple in 1998 as SVP of worldwide operations.

It must have been a difficult decision for Cook. In 1997, Apple was an industry laughingstock: Michael Dell, one of Microsoft's closest partners, once said that if he were in Jobs' shoes, "I'd shut it down and give the money back to the shareholders."

And experiencing Jobs' biggest flop first-hand just a few years later probably didn't make the transition easier, either: In 2000, Apple released the Power Mac G4 Cube, but the small PC, which Cook called an "engineering marvel," never found its audience.

But Cook said the "spectacular failure" taught him an important lesson in humility and intellectual honesty. "This was another thing that Steve taught me, actually," Cook said. "You've got to be willing to look yourself in the mirror and say, 'I was wrong, it's not right.'"

But everything worked out. One of Cook's biggest early coups was closing Apple's own factories and warehouses and replacing them with contract manufacturers, meaning that devices could be made in larger quantities and get delivered faster.

Tim Cook once said of his role: "You kind of want to manage it like you're in the dairy business. If it gets past its freshness date, you have a problem."

Starting in 2005, Cook made investments that would lay the groundwork for the future of the company, including forming critical deals with manufacturers on flash memory, the computer-storage component that would form the basis for the iPhone and iPad.

Cook's prescience meant that when competitors sought to build their own phones and tablets, they had to compete for what little factory capacity and components those factories could spare, after they had already fulfilled their commitments to Apple.

Thanks to Cook's management expertise, his star within the company rose rapidly. Apple was on the track toward growth and big profits, and Cook got a lot of the credit.

As his influence grew, Cook became known within the company for his no-mercy, relentless questioning style, his willingness to hold hours-long meetings, and his propensity for sending emails at all hours and expecting answers.

In 2007, Apple introduced the iPhone — the device that would change everything.

That same year, Jobs brought Cook a little closer into the core of the business by naming him COO. At this point, Apple insiders say, he was already running much of the business, with Jobs just there to make important product decisions.

As COO, Cook made more appearances at public events, getting out in front of executives, customers, partners, and investors.

In 2009, Tim Cook was named interim CEO while Steve Jobs was on leave to manage his declining health. Jobs had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2003, and it was starting to take its toll.

In 2009, Cook actually offered Jobs a portion of his liver, since they share a rare blood type. But Jobs refused, saying, "I'll never let you do that. I'll never do that."

In January 2011, Cook took over as interim CEO once again while Jobs was on medical leave. In August 2011, Jobs resigned his role to focus on his health — the board then named Cook permanent CEO of Apple.

When Jobs died in October 2011, Cook had the flags of the Apple campus flown at half staff in his memory.

Cook reportedly considers the time following Job's death as the loneliest time of his life.

Cook told Stanford University's graduating class of 2019 that mentors can leave you prepared but not ready. Cook said that after Jobs' death, "when the dust settled, all he knew was that he was going to have to be the best version of himself that he could be."

But Cook had some big shoes to fill. The iPhone, especially, is an internationally beloved product, and Jobs is held up as one of the greatest CEOs in history. "His greatest gift ... was not a singular product, but rather Apple itself," Cook said of Jobs in 2017.

Jobs once said that making things with "a great deal of care and love" is ultimately the thing that "keeps Apple, Apple," and Cook has said that he believes Jobs' vision lives on everywhere at Apple.

In the months following Jobs' resignation and then his death, there was a lot of uncertainty over whether or not Apple could keep the momentum going under Cook.

Though Cook was now in the limelight as CEO of Apple, he followed Jobs' example as a public figure and has remained intensely private when it came to his personal life, directing the attention as much as possible back on Apple.

In 2014, though, Cook ended years of speculation by publicly announcing, in an editorial in Bloomberg Businessweek, that he was gay. That made Cook the first openly gay CEO of a Fortune 500 company.

During his tenure as CEO, Cook has kept a lot of important Apple traditions alive, including appearances by rock stars like the Foo Fighters at big company events ...

... and Jobs' famous "one more thing" product announcements.

But some things have changed under Cook's watch. The best example is Scott Forstall, former Apple VP of iOS, who stepped down from his role in 2012.

In 2015, Apple released the Apple Watch, the company's first entirely new product in the post-Jobs era.

And in 2016, Apple introduced AirPods, tiny wireless earbuds that have become a runaway hit and important product for Apple's growth. The company unveiled an upgraded version called AirPods Pro in 2019.

Apple has also expanded its iPhone lineup under Cook, adding lower cost iPhones like the iPhone SE and the iPhone 11, as well as more expensive "pro" models that cost more than $1,000.

But Apple's growth hasn't slowed: In August, it hit a $2 trillion market cap, becoming the world's most valuable company.

Apple's surge to $2 trillion helped Cook reach billionaire status for the first time.

Cook doesn't live lavishly, however. He lives in a $2.3 million home in Palo Alto, California, but rarely takes expensive vacations and doesn't own yachts or private planes like other tech CEOs.

Cook has pledged to give away most of his wealth and has gifted millions in Apple shares already, according to Bloomberg.