Fortune Magazine‘s Peter Elkind has published a new article on Apple CEO, Disney’s largest shareholder and the guy that bought Pixar from George Lucas for $10 million, Steve Jobs.
The article talks about his history at Apple, his fierce temper, the stock backdating scandal (at both Pixar and Apple), as well as a host of other topics. The authors purports the article has been in the making for months, and it is an interesting read, whether you’re a fan or not, to see how a mind of someone like Steve Jobs’ works.
However, one particular piece of information that may be of interest to some, is about Jobs’ pancreatic cancer. The story goes that he was diagnosed in 2003, and wasn’t given long to live. It was then discovered that he had a rare form of cancer that could be treated, Steve didn’t want to go for surgery however. He eventually came around and was put under the knife in 2004. In 2004, after the surgery, and he was given the all clear, it was then announced about his ordeal. During this time however, it was all kept very hush-hush. Only very few members of the Apple board knew, and his illness wasn’t even disclosed to the Pixar board members. The reason behind not informing the shareholders of either companies, is said that they did not want to worry them and the stock price to plummet. Jobs has been an icon for the company, he is heralded as the saviour, ever since his return in 1997. Since then we have seen the iMac, the iPod and now the iPhone, as well as numerous other hit innovations and inventions.
What do you think? Should Jobs have disclosed his illness to all the shareholders of both companies? Leave a comment below and let us know.
Last modified: March 7, 2008
