Steve Jobs has been missing in action from his role as Apple co-founder on and off for the last few years. In 2004, Jobs was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer. He fought a rather unaggressive type of Cancer and eventually had a tumor removed from his Pancreas. He did not have to go through radiation therapy or chemotherapy and Timothy Cook stepped up and took over her role in the company during the battle.

Jobs delivered the keynote address at the Worldwide Developers Conference Apple hosts in 2006 and many wondered if his health had faltered due to a lackluster speech delivery. There was nothing to worry about at the time and Jobs was in excellent health. However, in December of 2008, Apple's marketing Vice President, Phil Schiller, gave the keynote address at the Macworld Conference and Expo which Jobs usually gives every year.

By January of 2009, Jobs announced via Apple's web site that he was suffering from a hormone imbalance and he informed the company that he would be taking a six month leave of absence.  Cook stepped into the role of acting CEO once again and Jobs remained involved in major business decisions for the company from the sidelines.  Now that Jobs has returned to his position at Apple, it had been released that he had a successful liver transplant in April 2009 and would be returning in a limited capacity.

Steve Jobs has always been hands-on in his approach of managing Apple.  Even while battling Cancer, he kept his ear to the ground and continued to be the face of the company despite his time away.  There is no reason to think Apple will not continue to flourish under Jobs despite any heath concerns that may happen.  Jobs has proven himself to be an invaluable leader and a survivor.