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Apple at 50: The CEO Who Brought Back Steve Jobs
Gil Amelio's short but impactful tenure as Apple's CEO set the stage for the company's survival.
Apr. 17, 2026 at 1:22pm
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The glowing, high-tech infrastructure that powered Apple's resurgence under Steve Jobs, enabled by the pivotal acquisition of NeXT during Gil Amelio's brief but impactful tenure as CEO.NYC TodayGil Amelio, who had previously turned around National Semiconductor, became Apple's CEO in 1996 during a tumultuous time for the company. Though his reign was the shortest of any Apple CEO, Amelio's decision to acquire NeXT and bring back Steve Jobs ultimately proved to be one of the most consequential moves in Apple's history.
Why it matters
Amelio's time as Apple CEO, though brief, was a pivotal moment for the company. His acquisition of NeXT and the return of Steve Jobs laid the groundwork for Apple's resurgence in the late 1990s and 2000s, ultimately leading to the company's current status as one of the most valuable and influential tech firms in the world.
The details
When Amelio took over as CEO in 1996, Apple was struggling with too many Mac models, quality control issues, and massive financial losses. Amelio worked to streamline the product lineup, improve quality, and cut costs. However, he faced resistance from Apple's staff and was ultimately unable to turn the company around on his own. Amelio's decision to acquire NeXT and bring back Steve Jobs proved to be the key move that set Apple on a new trajectory.
- Amelio joined Apple's board in November 1984.
- Amelio became Apple's CEO in 1996.
- Amelio acquired NeXT and brought back Steve Jobs in late 1996.
- Amelio was ousted as Apple's CEO in July 1997.
The players
Gil Amelio
The CEO of National Semiconductor who was brought in to turn around Apple in 1996. Though his tenure was short, his decision to acquire NeXT and bring back Steve Jobs proved pivotal for the company's future.
Steve Jobs
The co-founder of Apple who was ousted from the company in the 1980s. Amelio brought Jobs back to Apple through the acquisition of Jobs' company NeXT, setting the stage for Jobs' return as CEO and Apple's resurgence.
Michael Spindler
The CEO of Apple prior to Amelio, who was focused on selling the company rather than fixing its problems.
Mike Markkula
A long-time Apple supporter who was instrumental in the decision to make Amelio the company's CEO.
Fred Anderson
The Chief Financial Officer hired by Amelio who helped turn Apple's finances around.
What’s next
After being ousted as Apple's CEO in July 1997, Amelio went on to partner with Steve Wozniak and Ellen Hancock in a firm called Acquicor that acquired and sold companies for profit. He has also served on the boards of companies like AT&T Pacific and as a trustee of the American Film Institute.
The takeaway
Though his time as Apple's CEO was brief, Gil Amelio's decision to acquire NeXT and bring back Steve Jobs proved to be a pivotal moment that set the stage for Apple's resurgence in the late 1990s and 2000s, ultimately transforming the company into the tech giant it is today.
