Tim Cook's 65th Birthday Sparks Questions About Apple's Future CEO. Here Are Possible Contenders.
- Jeannine Mancini
- Oct 13
- 2 min read
Tim Cook is gearing up for his 65th birthday on November 1. He hasn’t dropped any strong hints about retiring — but insiders and watchers alike say Apple is quietly laying the groundwork for a smooth handoff when the time comes.
Cook took over the reins from Steve Jobs in 2011, and under his stewardship, Apple soared. The company’s stock has climbed roughly 1,800% since he became CEO.
Still, despite that success, there’s increasing chatter that the baton will eventually be passed.
Who’s in the Running?
According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple is already shaping internal transitions.
Here are some of the names getting spotlighted:
John Ternus — The hardware engineering head is widely viewed as the frontrunner. He’s been part of Apple for over two decades, and is now handling everything from iPhone to Watch hardware. He’s also been stepping more into the public eye lately.
Craig Federighi — The software whiz. He already oversees major OS projects and is now gaining responsibility over watchOS too, which may boost his CEO case.
Greg Joswiak — The marketing exec with a bird’s-eye view of Apple’s brand. Less hands-on technical, but potentially appealing for his strategic breadth.
Sabih Khan — He’s stepping into the COO role soon, a post that has historically been seen as a stepping-stone toward the top.
Jeff Williams — Long considered a lock for Cook’s successor. But with his operational role winding down (he’s slated to retire by year’s end) and taking on design and health duties instead, his path seems less direct now.
One interesting set of moves: Apple is reorganizing now — reassigning watchOS to Federighi and giving Ternus full hardware oversight for the Watch line. These shifts feel like pieces being moved ahead of a larger executive reshuffle.
So …When Will the Change Happen?
No one knows. Cook has not publicly committed to stepping down anytime soon. The narrative right now is one of preparation — ensuring that when a transition does happen, it’s as seamless as possible.
But the fact that roles are being realigned, responsibilities redistributed, and certain executives brought into sharper focus suggests Apple isn’t leaving this to chance.
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