Apple Inc. Chairman and CEO Steve Jobs was rumored to have had a major heart attack, causing Apple stock to fall in early Nasdaq trading. A spokesman for Apple, Steve Dowlings was quick to report that the rumor is untrue – prompting a stock rebound. The initial report was posted on the internet by a “citizen journalist website”, according to Bloomberg, and the report was that the computer maker had been rushed to a hospital after suffering a major heart attack.
The Cupertino, California computer maker was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer four years ago and has repeatedly told investors he is now cancer free. He has appeared frail in recent months, which has led to speculation that he is ill. He has responded to those concerns by saying that he is dealing with nutritional issues related to the cancer surgery.
The 53 year old has gained a reputation for his quirky personality. Fortune magazine noted that he “is considered one of Silicon Valley’s leading egomaniacs.”
On August 28, 2008, Bloomberg erroneously published a 2,500 word obituary for Steve Jobs with his age and cause of death left blank. At Apple’s 2008 Let’s Rock event in September, Jobs started out his keynote speech by quoting Mark Twain, “The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated.”
Check out thin Steve Jobs at Let’s Rock 2008 below.