Apple CEO Tim Cook has addressed fresh retirement rumors, and his response makes one thing clear: he is not ready to step away anytime soon. The long-time Apple leader spoke about his future and pushed back on claims that he plans to leave the role in the near term, even as speculation around a leadership change continues to grow.
In an interview with Good Morning America’s Michael Strahan, Cook called the retirement talk “a rumor” and said he never stated any intention to step back. He did not give a direct timeline for his future, but he made his position clear when he said, “I can’t imagine life without Apple,” a line that reflects how closely his identity remains tied to the company.
Tim Cook Dismisses retirement talk
Cook explained that he still enjoys his work deeply and remains motivated by the people around him. He said he has spent 28 years at Apple and values the collaboration that “brings out the best” in him and his team. These comments suggest that he still sees a strong role for himself at the company, even as questions about succession continue.
At the same time, reports have pointed to Apple preparing for a future transition, with John Ternus widely seen as a leading candidate to succeed Cook. Ternus has taken on more visibility in recent years, especially after gaining oversight of key design teams, which signals a gradual shift in leadership responsibilities.
Cook became CEO in 2011 and recently turned 65, a common retirement milestone for executives, but his latest remarks show no immediate plans to step down.
