Steve Jobs not dying - so says Steve Jobs

Steve Jobs' decision to step down from delivering this year's keynote at Macworld tomorrow - and Apple's decision to pull out of the event altogether from 2010 - set a flurry of rumours in motion that the Apple CEO's health was in serious decline. Steve and Apple's official silence on the matter has only added fanned the flames of suspicion so today he's released a personal letter addressed to the "Apple Community" to deny any suggestions he may be at Death's door.

Those who've been keeping an eye on the Apple big man will have noticed his significant weight loss of late, a drop that he says is down to, "a hormone imbalance that has been “robbing” me of the proteins my body needs to be healthy," adding, "Sophisticated blood tests have confirmed this diagnosis." 

Not one to share his personal life with others, he signs off with, "now I’ve said more than I wanted to say, and all that I am going to say, about this," but does assure that, "the remedy...is relatively simple and straightforward, and I’ve already begun treatment."

In a co-ordinated release, Apple’s Board of Directors has also issued a statement confirming their previous line that: "If there ever comes a day when Steve wants to retire or for other reasons cannot continue to fulfill his duties as Apple’s CEO, you will know it."

So there you have it. Steve's not dead, nor dying. Case closed.

Those statements in full:

January 5, 2009

Letter from Apple CEO Steve Jobs

Dear Apple Community,

For the first time in a decade, I’m getting to spend the holiday season with my family, rather than intensely preparing for a Macworld keynote.

Unfortunately, my decision to have Phil deliver the Macworld keynote set off another flurry of rumors about my health, with some even publishing stories of me on my deathbed.

I’ve decided to share something very personal with the Apple community so that we can all relax and enjoy the show tomorrow.

As many of you know, I have been losing weight throughout 2008. The reason has been a mystery to me and my doctors. A few weeks ago, I decided that getting to the root cause of this and reversing it needed to become my #1 priority.

Fortunately, after further testing, my doctors think they have found the cause—a hormone imbalance that has been “robbing” me of the proteins my body needs to be healthy. Sophisticated blood tests have confirmed this diagnosis.

The remedy for this nutritional problem is relatively simple and straightforward, and I’ve already begun treatment. But, just like I didn’t lose this much weight and body mass in a week or a month, my doctors expect it will take me until late this Spring to regain it. I will continue as Apple’s CEO during my recovery.

I have given more than my all to Apple for the past 11 years now. I will be the first one to step up and tell our Board of Directors if I can no longer continue to fulfill my duties as Apple’s CEO. I hope the Apple community will support me in my recovery and know that I will always put what is best for Apple first.

So now I’ve said more than I wanted to say, and all that I am going to say, about this.

Steve

Statement by Apple’s Board of Directors

It is widely recognized both inside and outside of Apple that Steve Jobs is one of the most talented and effective CEOs in the world.

As we have said before, if there ever comes a day when Steve wants to retire or for other reasons cannot continue to fulfill his duties as Apple’s CEO, you will know it.

Apple is very lucky to have Steve as its leader and CEO, and he deserves our complete and unwavering support during his recuperation. He most certainly has that from Apple and its Board.