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Who Was Steve Jobs? A Deep Dive into His Life and Legacy


ByAgkidzone Staff
Updated: Nov 11, 2024

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Most folks know Steve Jobs as one of the co-founders of Apple, the colossal tech company that revolutionized personal computing. However, this visionary designer, entrepreneur, and inventor had his hands in many other high-profile ventures. His early life, personal experiences, and relationships with colleagues significantly shaped who Steve Jobs was and how he's remembered today. So, let's dive into the life of this remarkable individual who changed the way we interact with technology.

Steve Jobs Was Adopted
On February 24, 1955, Joanne Schieble gave birth to a baby boy in San Francisco. The child's father, Abdulfattah Jandali, was a Syrian graduate student pursuing his Ph.D. at the University of Wisconsin. Joanne's Catholic parents disapproved of their relationship because Abdulfattah was an Arab Muslim. As a result, they forced the couple to give the baby up for adoption. Paul and Clara Jobs, a working-class couple, adopted the boy under the condition that they would send him to college. When Steve was two years old, the family moved to Mountain View, California. Paul's passion for mechanics and building led him to construct a workbench in their garage, where he shared his love for tinkering with young Steve. This early exposure to electronics and craftsmanship would later influence Steve's career path.
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He Never Graduated from College
After finishing high school, Steve Jobs enrolled at Reed College in Portland, Oregon. However, after just one semester, he decided to drop out and embark on a journey across India, searching for spiritual enlightenment. He spent seven months traveling, studying Eastern religions, and immersing himself in new cultures. Upon returning to the United States, he audited classes at Reed, focusing on creative subjects like calligraphy, where he learned about serif and sans-serif typefaces. Steve never officially graduated from college. Instead, he chose to "drop in" on classes that intrigued him the most. These experiences would later influence the design aesthetics of Apple products, particularly in typography and user interfaces.
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Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs Created Apple
In 1971, a mutual friend named Bill Fernandez introduced Steve Jobs to Steve Wozniak. Both were passionate about electronics and enjoyed pulling pranks. At the time, they had summer jobs at Hewlett-Packard. Wozniak designed the Apple I computer in 1976, and together with Jobs and Ronald Wayne, they founded Apple Computer in Jobs's family garage. Although Wayne left the company after just two weeks, Jobs and Wozniak pressed on. Their collaboration led to the creation of the Apple II, which became one of the first highly successful mass-produced personal computers. This venture marked the beginning of Apple becoming a tech giant, and the rest, as they say, is history.
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He Experimented with LSD and Found Religion
During his time as a young college dropout, Steve Jobs traveled to India in search of spiritual enlightenment. He visited ashrams, embraced Eastern philosophies, and eventually became a lifelong practitioner of Zen Buddhism. This spiritual journey had a profound impact on his worldview and approach to life. After returning to the U.S., Jobs experimented with LSD, which he described as one of the most important experiences of his life. He believed these psychedelic experiences helped shape his creativity and open-mindedness. He also joined a commune called the All One Farm in Oregon, further exploring alternative lifestyles and philosophies.
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He Cheated Steve Wozniak Out of Money
Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak collaborated on creating a game called Breakout for Atari. They had agreed to split any payment equally. When Atari paid Jobs $5,000 for the project, he told Wozniak they had only received $700, giving his partner just $350. By withholding the full amount, Jobs effectively cheated Wozniak out of his fair share. This incident highlighted a more unscrupulous side of Jobs's character, showing that he was willing to compromise personal relationships for personal gain. Despite this setback, Wozniak and Jobs continued to work together, and their partnership ultimately led to the creation of Apple.
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Jobs Had an Illegitimate Daughter
During high school, Steve Jobs dated Chrisann Brennan. Their relationship continued after he returned from India. At the age of 23, Chrisann became pregnant with their child. However, Jobs denied being the father for years, even as Chrisann struggled financially and had to go on welfare to support their daughter, Lisa. Ironically, during this time, Jobs was becoming a wealthy man due to Apple's success. He later designed a new Apple computer and named it the Apple Lisa, claiming the name stood for "Local Integrated Software Architecture." Eventually, Jobs acknowledged Lisa as his daughter. Lisa Brennan-Jobs later wrote a memoir titled "Small Fry" about her experiences.
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His Annual Salary at Apple Was $1
Despite being the CEO of Apple, Steve Jobs chose to receive an annual salary of just one dollar. Nevertheless, he was still incredibly wealthy due to his ownership of 5.5 million shares of Apple stock. Additionally, he was the majority shareholder in Disney, a result of selling Pixar Animation Studios to them. Jobs was also the founder and CEO of NeXT, a computer software company. His minimal salary was symbolic, reflecting his focus on the company's success rather than personal income. This approach exemplified Jobs's unique leadership style and his commitment to innovation over monetary gain.
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Apple Pushed Jobs Out, Then Back In
In 1985, Apple's CEO at the time, John Sculley, decided to reorganize the company. He wanted to move Jobs away from the Macintosh division and into a role focusing on new product development. Feeling sidelined, Jobs attempted to regain control by plotting to oust Sculley. However, the board sided with Sculley, leading Jobs to resign from Apple in September, along with five other senior employees. After leaving Apple, Jobs founded NeXT, focusing on advanced computer platforms. In a twist of fate, Apple purchased NeXT in 1996 for $427 million, bringing Jobs back into the fold. By 2000, he was reinstated as Apple's permanent CEO.
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Steve Jobs Diagnosed with Cancer
In late 2003, Steve Jobs was diagnosed with a rare form of pancreatic cancer known as an islet cell neuroendocrine tumor. Doctors indicated that this type of cancer was treatable with surgery and other medical interventions. However, Jobs initially chose to pursue alternative treatments, including special diets, herbal remedies, acupuncture, and other non-traditional approaches, hoping for a cure without surgery. After nine months, he agreed to undergo surgery to remove the tumor but declined recommended chemotherapy or radiation therapy. In 2009, his health declined further, necessitating a liver transplant. During his medical leaves, Tim Cook took over daily operations at Apple while Jobs focused on his health.
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His Death Was Mourned Around the World
On October 5, 2011, Steve Jobs passed away at his home in Palo Alto, California, due to complications from his pancreatic cancer. He was surrounded by his wife, Laurene Powell, his children, and his sister, Patty. His last words were reportedly, "Oh wow. Oh wow. Oh wow." The news of his death sparked an outpouring of grief worldwide. People from all walks of life paid tribute to his legacy, acknowledging his immense contributions to technology and design. Memorials appeared at Apple stores globally, and leaders, celebrities, and fans alike reflected on how Jobs had changed the world.
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Conclusion
Steve Jobs was a complex individual whose vision and creativity reshaped multiple industries. From his adoption and early fascination with electronics to founding Apple and influencing modern technology, his life was anything but ordinary. Despite personal flaws and health struggles, his relentless pursuit of innovation left an indelible mark on the world. As we look back on his remarkable journey, it's clear that Steve Jobs didn't just live life; he changed it for all of us. After all, it's people like him who push the world forward.
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