As Apple marks its 50th anniversary, CEO Tim Cook sat down for a rare, reflective interview with Esquire to discuss the company’s journey from a small garage to a global powerhouse.
A central theme of the conversation was the enduring shadow of Steve Jobs. Despite Cook leading Apple for more than a decade and overseen its growth into a three-trillion-dollar entity, he remains humble about his predecessor. “I think about him often,” Cook admitted, noting that the anniversary has brought those memories to the surface.
He described Jobs as a “once-in-a-thousand-years kind of person” who instilled a DNA of simplicity and collaboration into the company. Cook even shared a personal moment from the transition, recalling how he truly believed Jobs would remain the Executive Chairman “forever” after stepping down.
Apple employees are usually obsessed with the next product launch, but Cook mentioned that for this anniversary, the team had to “develop a new muscle” for reflection. They spent months digging through archives and old photographs to curate the story of the last 50 years.
Cook pointed out that while the hardware, from the beige Apple II to the sleek Vision Pro, is what people buy, the true legacy is what people do with those tools. He credited the musicians, developers, and “misfits” who used Apple’s technology to change their own worlds. “The most meaningful chapters are written by all of you,” he wrote in a letter accompanying the anniversary.
The interview also touched on Cook’s role as a global diplomat. He addressed his approach to politics, specifically his willingness to engage with various administrations, including the Trump administration. Cook defended this strategy, stating that “engagement is so important” because of the complexity of global regulations and customs.
At 65, Cook is also thinking about the “room” five, ten, and fifteen years from now. He admitted to being obsessed with succession planning, ensuring that the next generation of leadership, potentially led by figures like John Ternus, is ready to carry the torch.
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