Hey guys, I have a full 100% confirmation of this. A few weeks ago (when it was announced that Steve wouldn’t give the last MacWorld keynote) people (including me) have speculated as to why this may be. We have all concluded that it may have been a health reason. Some may have said that it was his “plan” for leaving the company for good. Well, today I can now confirm that the reason that Steve has lost a ton of weight and will not give the keynote is due to a “hormonal imbalance”. Here is what Steve Jobs had to say in his letter:
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
In a statement released simultaneously with Jobs’ letter, the Apple board of directors said “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.”
Following the announcement about Jobs’ health, Apple’s share price jumped by 3.58 percent in pre-market trading.
So there you go guys. Expect Apple stock to rise even further today and tomorrow. So Steve is alright, and in treatment. So the important thing is that Steve is in good health and is in treatment for a very (non-lethal) element. So expect to continue seeing Steve as CEO for a long time.
Benjamin Sandoval // Jan 5, 2009 at 3:18 PM
i was very interested in your article and am very glad to hear Steve is not dieing thanks for the info
Alan Vazquez // Jan 5, 2009 at 11:11 PM
You are very welcome Ben. I am really happy about him being alright and in treatment too. I hope he makes a special (atleast) short appearance at tomorrow’s MacWorld Keynote. Let’s just hope Phill Schiller has some cool stuff to show us tomorrow. (Phill is giving the keynote instead of Steve) I hope Steve is better by WWDC 2009!