Tim Cook Siblings: All About Gerald and Michael Cook
Tim Cook PHOTO/CNBC
Tim Cook is the chief executive officer of Apple Inc., one of the world’s most valuable and influential technology companies.
Born on November 1, 1960, in Mobile, he grew up in the small town of Robertsdale, in a modest family environment shaped by hard work and Southern roots.
His father, Donald Cook, worked as a shipyard worker, while his mother, Geraldine Cook, was employed at a pharmacy before focusing on raising the family.
Tim excelled academically and athletically in his youth, graduating as salutatorian from Robertsdale High School in 1978 before earning a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering from Auburn University in 1982 and an MBA from Duke University.
Siblings
Tim is the middle child in a family of three brothers.
His older brother is Gerald Cook, and his younger brother is Michael Cook.
The family moved to Robertsdale in 1971 when Tim was around 11 years old, seeking a stable community for their sons.
Like Tim, Gerald and Michael took on part-time jobs during their youth to contribute to the household.
While Tim pursued a high-profile path in business and technology, his brothers have largely remained in the South, maintaining more private lives.
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Career
Cook’s professional journey began after college when he joined IBM, where he spent 12 years in the personal computer division, rising to the role of director of North American fulfillment.
His expertise in operations and supply chain management became evident during this period.
He later worked at Intelligent Electronics and Compaq before joining Apple in 1998 as senior vice president of worldwide operations, recruited by Steve Jobs to overhaul the company’s inefficient supply chains.
Cook’s efforts dramatically improved Apple’s inventory management, reduced costs, and enabled rapid scaling of product launches.
He served as chief operating officer and briefly as interim CEO during Jobs’ medical leaves.
Following Steve Jobs’ resignation in August 2011 and subsequent passing, Cook was appointed CEO of Apple.
Under his leadership, Apple has expanded its product ecosystem, including the successful launch of the Apple Watch, achieved unprecedented financial growth with net income soaring significantly.
Accolades
Cook was named Financial Times Person of the Year in 2014 and Fortune’s World’s Greatest Leader in 2015.
He has appeared multiple times on Time magazine’s Time 100 list of the most influential people in the world, including in 2012 and 2021.
In his home state, he received induction into the Alabama Academy of Honor, one of the highest civilian honors bestowed by Alabama.
Cook has also been honored for his advocacy on issues like LGBTQ+ rights, including becoming the first openly gay CEO of a Fortune 500 company in 2014, and receiving awards such as the Human Rights Campaign’s Visibility Award and the Anti-Defamation League’s Courage Against Hate Award.