As I age, as my hair turns gray, I love this place, Steven.
As for the question of retirement Cook gave a bit of a non-answer that was touching and relatable at the same time.
It’s a privilege of a lifetime to be here. And I’ll do it until the voice in my head says it’s time.
— Tim Cook (CEO at Apple), Wired, December 2024
Of course, as Cook mentions, Apple has been a significant part of his adult life. His identity now is so intertwined with the company that people will likely never see him as anything other than the CEO of Apple.
Tim Cook on stage in 2018. | Image credit — Apple
And whoever comes next will have a lot to live up to.