Steve Jobs' health memo to employees

Here's the full text of the e-mail Steve Jobs sent to his employees about stepping down as Apple CEO for a medical leave of absence.

Team,

I am sure all of you saw my letter last week sharing something very personal with the Apple community. Unfortunately, the curiosity over my personal health continues to be a distraction not only for me and my family, but everyone else at Apple as well. In addition, during the past week I have learned that my health-related issues are more complex than I originally thought.

In order to take myself out of the limelight and focus on my health, and to allow everyone at Apple to focus on delivering extraordinary products, I have decided to take a medical leave of absence until the end of June.

I have asked Tim Cook to be responsible for Apple's day to day operations, and I know he and the rest of the executive management team will do a great job. As CEO, I plan to remain involved in major strategic decisions while I am out. Our board of directors fully supports this plan.

I look forward to seeing all of you this summer.

Steve

[Goodbye Helicopter]

uh, gee, how rude is this?<br />I'm sure that was not emailed to the press.

[Tom Krazit]

In fact, it was.<br /><br />http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2009/01/14advisory.html

[Mr. Dee]

Everybody at CNET had to have a little piece of this story eh? I just can see Ina, Tom, Stephen and Dawn negotiating who gets the choice parts.

[littlejon2]

We wish Steve and his family all the best and hope for a full and complete recovery. God bless.

[AppleSuxLeo]

His demise was PRE-ceded by the Palm event. He has come down with palmpreosis.

[GEOPOLY]

AppleSuxLeo, Do something good or constructive with your life

[gopnick]

This is terrible for Apple. Terrible, terrible news.

[Zandora777]

"In order to take myself out of the limelight"... yeah, we all know how much Steve hates the limelight.

[ecotony]

Best wishes to Steve and his family.