Years of Health Problems Preceded Jobs Resignation(PHOTOS)

Poor health took the better of Steve Jobs as he resigned on Wednesday, sending shockwaves through technology and media circles.

Jobs was diagnosed with cancer in his pancreas on October 2003. He had tried a special diet to avoid surgery. But eventually he had to resort to surgery in 2004 . Nevertheless it was a successful one without the need for chemotherapy.

Four years later, false reports of his death shocked the industry. Jobs himself gave a statement on Sept. 9, 2008, joking "Reports of my death are greatly exaggerated."

During late 2008 Jobs was looking very frail and had lost a lot of weight, fueling more speculation. On Jan. 5, 2009, Jobs said a hormone imbalance was causing him to lose weight, but vowed to remain CEO during treatment. "The remedy for this nutritional problem is relatively simple and straightforward," Jobs said in an open letter dated Jan 14, 2009:

He had given up his day-to-day operations to Tim until June 2009, saying his health problems were more complex than originally thought. Jobs also said he would remain involved in major strategic decisions. "I look forward to seeing all of you this summer," he had stated in a letter to his employees.

In June 23, 2009, Methodist University Hospital Transplant Institute in Memphis confirmed that Jobs had a liver transplant and had "an excellent prognosis."
During his first public appearance after the surgery, Jobs said, "I am back at Apple and loving every minute of it".

On Aug. 24, 2011, Jobs resigned as CEO of Apple, marking an end to his reign at the consumer electronics giant he co-founded in a garage. Apple shares slid to $357.40 in extended trading after a brief halt. They had gained 0.7 percent to close at $376.18 on the Nasdaq.

Here is Job's resignation letter to Apple.

To the Apple Board of Directors and the Apple Community:

I have always said if there ever came a day when I could no longer meet my duties and expectations as Apple's CEO, I would be the first to let you know. Unfortunately, that day has come.

I hereby resign as CEO of Apple. I would like to serve, if the Board sees fit, as Chairman of the Board, director and Apple employee.

As far as my successor goes, I strongly recommend that we execute our succession plan and name Tim Cook as CEO of Apple.

I believe Apple's brightest and most innovative days are ahead of it. And I look forward to watching and contributing to its success in a new role.

I have made some of the best friends of my life at Apple, and I thank you all for the many years of being able to work alongside you.

Steve