Fortune crowns Steve Jobs 'CEO of Decade'

November 06, 2009 08:57:06 AM

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"The past decade in business belongs to Jobs," Fortune editor-at-large Adam Lashinsky wrote in an article extolling the 'imperious, brilliant' chief executive. "He is the rare businessman with legitimate worldwide celebrity."

Fortune traced "the decade of Steve" back to 1997, when Jobs returned to Apple's helm and took the California company on a course that gave the world iPhones, iPods, and increasingly popular Macintosh computers.

Technology stars considered for the Fortune honor included Microsoft legend Bill Gates and Google co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin.