Once again, Rumors of Steve Job's Demise Have Been Greatly Exaggerated

Steve's OK, everyone relax.

Update:


Statement by Apple’s Board of Directors


It is widely recognized both inside and outside of Apple that Steve Jobs is one of the most talented and effective CEOs in the world.

As we have said before, if there ever comes a day when Steve wants to retire or for other reasons cannot continue to fulfill his duties as Apple’s CEO, you will know it.

Apple is very lucky to have Steve as its leader and CEO, and he deserves our complete and unwavering support during his recuperation. He most certainly has that from Apple and its Board.


The rumors and questions can now be put to rest. Steve is OK. Yes, he has some health issues but, according to what his doctors say, they are not serious and he should be back to normal by spring. The issue, describes as a "hormone imbalance" has been causing him to lose weight all year, but they know how to treat it and he expects to be back to normal by late spring. This will not affect his being CEO of Apple. I, for one, was a bit surprised by this. I knew that if his health issues were serious, he would have disclosed it already due to legal issues with shareholders. Given that he held off this long, he really was reticent to do so because, since it isn't serious, it really is a personal privacy matter for him and I respect that. Steve's letter below:

Letter from Apple CEO Steve Jobs



Dear Apple Community,

For the first time in a decade, I’m getting to spend the holiday season with my family, rather than intensely preparing for a Macworld keynote.

Unfortunately, my decision to have Phil deliver the Macworld keynote set off another flurry of rumors about my health, with some even publishing stories of me on my deathbed.

I’ve decided to share something very personal with the Apple community so that we can all relax and enjoy the show tomorrow.

As many of you know, I have been losing weight throughout 2008. The reason has been a mystery to me and my doctors. A few weeks ago, I decided that getting to the root cause of this and reversing it needed to become my #1 priority.

Fortunately, after further testing, my doctors think they have found the cause—a hormone imbalance that has been “robbing” me of the proteins my body needs to be healthy. Sophisticated blood tests have confirmed this diagnosis.

The remedy for this nutritional problem is relatively simple and straightforward, and I’ve already begun treatment. But, just like I didn’t lose this much weight and body mass in a week or a month, my doctors expect it will take me until late this Spring to regain it. I will continue as Apple’s CEO during my recovery.

I have given more than my all to Apple for the past 11 years now. I will be the first one to step up and tell our Board of Directors if I can no longer continue to fulfill my duties as Apple’s CEO. I hope the Apple community will support me in my recovery and know that I will always put what is best for Apple first.

So now I’ve said more than I wanted to say, and all that I am going to say, about this.

Steve