Apple CEO Tim Cook Says He Will Give His Entire Fortune To Charity

Apple CEO Tim Cook is leaving a legacy made of more than just technology.

In a new profile published by Fortune, Cook revealed his plan to donate his amassed wealth to charity.

Cook, who was appointed CEO in 2011 after founder Steve Jobs stepped down, has overseen the evolution of Apple products that were released when Jobs held the same position. He only recently starting championing his own first release, the Apple Watch.

In January, CNN reported Cook's seven-figure earnings as $9.2 million last year alone, including a $6.7 million bonus and a hefty amount of stock.

As Cook nears five years as CEO, he's reportedly amassed nearly a billion dollars.

Instead of hoarding that wealth, however, Cook plans to make his family a priority.

According to Fortune, he will wholly fund his 10-year-old nephew's college education. After that, the rest of the money will be dispersed among philanthropic causes.

Cook, who is openly gay, told Fortune he publicly speaks about issues like racism and homophobia to encourage his peers to do the same.

He added,

You want to be the pebble in the pond that creates the ripple for change.

There's no word yet on exactly which charities will be the beneficiaries of Cook's money, but the Apple CEO joins the ranks of many famed philanthropists, like Microsoft founder Bill Gates, in prioritizing charity.

Citations: Tim Cook to donate his fortune to charity (CNN)