Steve Jobs is the founder and CEO of Apple. I like to watch his impressive presentation. He speaks with his passion. His love for Apple’s products is so strong that it becomes more than infectious. His love does not stem from pride, but from his belief. He believes that his products are rock solid good. And that belief drives his presentation.
On 9 June 2008, when I watched the TV news of Apple announced the release of iPhone 3G during Apple Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC 08) in San Franscisco, from sitting far away, I asked my friend, “Who is that skinny fellow? Where is Steve Jobs?”
I was expecting Steve Job to deliver the keynote message.
“Bro, that guy is Steve Jobs, who else?”
I put down my work and walked closer to the television. Yes, he is Steve. His gaunt looking appearance has almost made him a stranger to me. Really, he looks so thin. While I am impressed with MacBook Air Thinspiration, I was even surprised to see such a thin version of him! Some people on the net have even made fun of his skeletal body frame by calling him iSteve nano.
Right after the appearance, rumor started to spread:
- Steve was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in late 2003. However, he kept this news from Apple shareholders until 9 months later, after he has explored almost all methods to cure it. Being a technology guys, contrary to belief, he initially resisted the idea of conventional medical intervention. Still, Steve eventually went for surgery in July 2004. So, this time, rumor said that the cancer cell may have spread to other organs such as kidney or liver and causing him to lose weight significantly.
- Another gossip saying that his wife, Laurene Powell, has been feeding him with restrictive vegan diet ever since the surgery. Laurene is a fan of organics food and she even has a business producing those natural foods. Apple staffs have mentioned in the net that Apple has a fabulous cafeterias catering for vegetarians, vegans and people who like organics food. So, probably under his wife’s influence, Jobs has changed his diet and has since lost much of his weight.
- Another rumor saying he is suffering from manorexia. Manorexia is the man version of anorexia nervosa. Patients with anorexia are normally control their body weight by starvation, purging, vomiting, excessive exercise, or other weight control measures, such as using diet pills or diuretic drugs.
However, Apple spoke person has tried to clarified that Jobs was suffering from a flu and now is under antibiotics treatment. Whether it is just a typical PR spin or not, nobody except Steve knows exactly what happens.
I have searched several Steve’s pictures from year 1997 to 2008. He looks the best in year 2005, after he has recovered from the cancer. Shortly 3 years later, he looks seriously thin. If he is a boxer, he is probably classified in lowest weight category now.
1997 - Coming back to Apple becoming the Interim CEO.
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1998 - Steve Jobs with his woodsman beard and hamster cheeks. Take note of the arrival of the signature black shirt and blue jeans combo.
1999 - Appearing in Time magazine
2002 - Still spotting clean cut.
Steve Jobs in year 2003.
Steve Jobs in year 2004 after the surgery
Steve Jobs in year 2005, gained bit of weight comparing to year 2004.
Appeared in cover page of Time magazine in year 2005.
Steve Jobs revealed iPhone in January 2007
Launching MacBook Air in January 2008
Appearing on stage with Bill Gates in May 2008
Announcing iPhone 3G (8GB) for $199 in June 2008
Can’t see the difference, how about these few pictures?
If you look at his photo, almost the same pose and same shirt, he looks much thinner between January and June 2008. That is only 6 months apart. Steve Jobs has been wearing his signature black turtleneck all this while. But, this time, in June 2008, the color and the shirt have made him look pale and sick. If he continues to lose weight, he will need a belt for his jeans next time.
According to a CNBC reporter who has interviewed Jobs that day, he said, “Steve’s handshake was moderate, his hands felt bony and I was taken aback by his extremely narrow face, slight build, and noticeable nones through his shirt.” Sound as if Steve has really lost much weight.
Normally, I pick a celebrity and writes about his or her transformation from being fat to slim. But, the main reason I am writing this post because I considered Steve Jobs is a celebrity, in his own class of celebrity CEO. I have high respect to his vision when comes to gadget. Steve Jobs is considered nearly irreplaceable at Apple. He has been a well known architect in coming out with Mac Book, iPod and iPhone technology.
Steve Jobs has his right to keep his health from public. But, as the CEO of one of the most successful technology companies, his health issues will affect many shareholders’ confidence and stock price. I hope that this great man will recover soon. Just like his iPhone, he may be thin, but remains “robust”. Let’s wish to see him appearing on stage again to talk about next version of iPhone, be it two or four years later. I sincerely want to see him doing that again.
