Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) CEO Steve Jobs said he will take a medical leave from the company. This is the second time he has taken a medical leave in two years.
In a brief letter he sent to employees, Jobs said he taking the absence so he can focus on his health and will continue to be involved in the company's major strategic decisions. Jobs took a leave of absence in the first half of 2009 and received a liver transplant. He returned in late June of 2009. Apple COO Tim Cook will assume day-to-day control of the company's operations, just as he did in 2009.
"I have great confidence that Tim and the rest of the executive management team will do a terrific job executing the exciting plans we have in place for 2011," Jobs said. "I love Apple so much and hope to be back as soon as I can."
Jobs survived pancreatic cancer surgery in 2004, and his health is a key concern for Apple, which he co-founded in 1976. Since returning as CEO in 1997, Jobs has led a stunning revival of the company, with the introduction of the iPod, iPhone and iPad tablet. Jobs is deeply involved in almost every aspect of Apple's business, especially product design.
Cook was on hand last week in New York City when Apple and Verizon Wireless (NYSE:VZ) unveiled their partnership for the iPhone 4; Jobs did not attend the event.
For more:
- see this release
- see this WSJ article (sub. req.)
- see this NYT article
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