Tim Cook says he hopes to be remembered as ‘a good and decent man’ ahead of Apple exit

With fewer than three weeks remaining before he steps down as chief executive of Apple ↗ 0.22%, Tim Cook has offered a personal answer to the question of how he hopes to be remembered. In an exclusive interview with CBS News' Jo Ling Kent, Cook said he aspires to be seen as "a good and decent man."

"If they say that at the end of the day, I feel like I have achieved something," Cook said.indiatoday+1

The remarks come as Apple prepares for its first leadership transition in 15 years. John Ternus, the company's senior vice president of hardware engineering, will become CEO on September 1, while Cook moves into the role of executive chairman.ibtimes

A Transition Built Over Years

Apple's board unanimously approved the succession as part of what the company called a "thoughtful, long-term succession planning process." Ternus, who joined Apple in 2001 and has overseen hardware engineering across the iPhone, iPad, Mac and AirPods lines, will also join the company's board. Arthur Levinson will become lead independent director.ibtimes

Cook described Ternus as having "the mind of an engineer, the soul of an innovator, and the heart to lead with integrity and with honor," calling him "without question the right person to lead Apple into the future."ibtimes

During Apple's most recent earnings call, Cook offered Ternus advice: "One of the most important decisions he'll make is where to spend his time, and I would spend it where the greatest benefit to the company and the users are."indiatoday

Cook's Record and What Comes Next

Cook took over from Steve Jobs on August 24, 2011, and presided over Apple's transformation into a services-driven business. The company reported $109 billion in revenue in its latest quarter — more than its total revenue during Cook's first year as CEO.appleinsider+1

Cook will not disappear from Apple after the transition. He is expected to remain involved as executive chairman, serving as a special government liaison and appearing at select press events.ibtimes+1

Ternus inherits strong financial momentum but faces immediate challenges, including supply constraints Apple warned would worsen in the September quarter and an unresolved AI strategy that differs from the heavy infrastructure spending of rivals. His first weeks will coincide with Apple's fall product cycle — leaving little room for a traditional honeymoon period.ibtimes