Tim Cook and Robin Li have built two very different technology legacies. Tim Cook became the public face of Apple after succeeding Steve Jobs, bringing an operations-focused approach to one of the world’s most valuable technology companies. Robin Li, meanwhile, co-founded Baidu and helped establish it as a major Chinese search and artificial-intelligence company. Their careers differ in geography and business strategy, but both are closely associated with the growth of global technology and innovation.
Tim Cook and Robin Li – Quick Bio Table
| Profile | Tim Cook | Robin Li |
|---|---|---|
| Full Name | Timothy Donald Cook | Robin Yanhong Li |
| Chinese Name | — | Li Yanhong (李彦宏) |
| Date of Birth | November 1, 1960 | November 17, 1968 |
| Age | 65 years | 57 years |
| Birthplace | Robertsdale, Alabama, USA | Yangquan, Shanxi, China |
| Nationality | American | Chinese |
| Profession | Business executive, engineer and technology leader | Entrepreneur, computer scientist and technology executive |
| Net Worth | Approximately $3 billion | Approximately $5.8 billion |
| Famous For | Leading Apple and succeeding Steve Jobs as CEO | Co-founding and leading Baidu |
| Company | Apple | Baidu |
| Career Began | 1982 — IBM | 1994 — information-services/search technology career |
| Joined Major Company | Apple, 1998 | Baidu, 2000 |
| Current Leadership Role | Apple CEO | Baidu Co-founder, Chairman & CEO |
| Previous Major Role | Apple COO before becoming CEO | Senior consultant at IDD; engineer at Infoseek |
| Industry | Technology, consumer electronics, software and services | Internet search, artificial intelligence and technology |
| Parents | Donald Cook and Geraldine Cook | Publicly documented details are limited |
| Siblings | Two brothers | Reliable public information is limited |
| Education | Auburn University; Duke University | Peking University; State University of New York at Buffalo |
| Bachelor’s Degree | Industrial Engineering, Auburn University (1982) | Information Science, Peking University |
| Master’s Degree | MBA, Duke University (1988) | Computer Science, SUNY Buffalo |
| Marital Status | Not publicly married | Married |
| Spouse | No publicly documented spouse | Ma Dongmin (Melissa Ma) |
| Children | No publicly documented children | Family details are privately held; Forbes lists four children |
| Family Background | Father worked in a shipyard; mother worked at a pharmacy | Details about parents and siblings are limited in authoritative public sources |
| Hobbies / Interests | Fitness, hiking, cycling and outdoor activities | No comprehensive authoritative hobby list |
| Height | Approx. 5 ft 11 in (180 cm), estimated | Approx. 5 ft 10 in (178 cm), estimated |
| Weight | Not reliably documented | Not reliably documented |
| Hair Color | Gray | Black/dark, not officially documented |
| Eye Color | Blue | Dark brown, commonly reported |
| No confidently verified official personal account | No confidently verified official personal account | |
| Major Career Milestone | Became Apple CEO in 2011 | Co-founded Baidu in 2000 |
| Technology Focus | Apple hardware, software, services and global operations | Search, AI, generative AI and autonomous driving |
| Leadership Style | Operations, supply-chain management and long-term corporate growth | Technology, search innovation and AI development |
| Major Recognition | Fuqua Scholar; numerous business and leadership honors | Major international business and technology recognition |
| Estimated Net Worth Source | Apple compensation, stock awards and investments | Baidu ownership and investments |
| Net Worth Date | September 3, 2026 | September 3, 2026 |
| Net Worth Source | Forbes Real-Time Estimate | Forbes Real-Time Estimate |
| Career Legacy | Helped lead Apple through major expansion in products and services | Built Baidu into a leading Chinese search and AI company |
Tim Cook and Robin Li Images
