Steve Jobs, the co-founder of Apple Inc., is remembered not only for revolutionizing personal computing, music, and mobile phones but also for the profound simplicity of his final moments. According to his sister Mona Simpson, Jobs' last words were a repeated exclamation: "Oh wow. Oh wow. Oh wow." These words, spoken as he gazed at his family, have since become a topic of fascination and inspiration for millions around the world. They encapsulate the minimalist elegance that defined his career and his approach to life and death.
The Final Moments
In a eulogy delivered at Jobs' funeral and later published in The New York Times, Mona Simpson described the scene with intimate detail. She recalled that in his last hours, Jobs looked at his sister Patty, then at his children, and finally at his wife Laurene. His tone was affectionate and loving, yet he seemed already detached, as if his luggage was strapped onto the vehicle for a journey. She wrote: "Before embarking, he'd looked at his sister Patty, then for a long time at his children, then at his life's partner, Laurene, and then over their shoulders past them. Steve's final words were: 'Oh wow. Oh wow. Oh wow.'" After saying those words, his breathing changed, becoming severe and deliberate. Simpson interpreted it as an arduous journey, a steep climb, but one he achieved with the same will and work ethic that defined his life. Death, she noted, did not happen to Steve; he achieved it.
A Life of Innovation
Born on February 24, 1955, in San Francisco, Jobs was adopted by Paul and Clara Jobs. He dropped out of Reed College but continued auditing classes, including a calligraphy course that later influenced the typography of the Macintosh. In 1976, he co-founded Apple with Steve Wozniak and Ronald Wayne in his parents' garage. The Apple II became a breakthrough success, but it was the Macintosh, introduced in 1984, that popularized the graphical user interface. After being ousted from Apple in 1985, Jobs founded NeXT, a company that developed high-end workstations, and also purchased what became Pixar Animation Studios, which produced iconic films like Toy Story. His return to Apple in 1997 marked one of the greatest turnarounds in business history. Under his leadership, Apple introduced the iMac, iPod, iPhone, and iPad, transforming industries and reshaping how people interact with technology.
Contemplating Mortality
Jobs' battle with pancreatic cancer began in 2003. He initially tried alternative treatments before undergoing surgery in 2004. His health declined over the years, leading to a liver transplant in 2009. Despite his illness, he remained deeply involved at Apple until his resignation as CEO in August 2011. His Stanford commencement address in 2005 remains one of the most quoted speeches on mortality. "Death is the destination we all share," he said. "No one has ever escaped it. And that is as it should be, because death is very likely the single best invention of life. It is life's change agent. It clears out the old to make way for the new." He urged graduates to follow their hearts and intuition, not to be trapped by dogma. In a later interview with biographer Walter Isaacson, Jobs admitted he was "50/50 on believing in God" but hoped that wisdom and knowledge would endure after death.
The Hoax and the Truth
After Jobs' death, an essay claiming to be his final thoughts circulated on social media. It criticized the pursuit of material wealth and referred to himself as a "twisted person." However, this was a hoax, debunked by fact-checkers. The real last words, as confirmed by his sister, were those three simple exclamations of wonder. The hoax likely gained traction because it fit a narrative of a deathbed repentance, but the authentic account reveals a man facing the end with awe rather than regret. Jobs' own words on living each day as if it were the last suggest he had already made peace with his mortality.
The Power of Awe
What Jobs saw or felt in those final moments remains unknown. Was it a vision of an afterlife, a burst of brilliant light, or simply the overwhelming love for his family? Regardless, the emotion he expressed—awe—has been studied by psychologists as a powerful force that can enhance well-being, foster gratitude, and connect us to something larger than ourselves. Jobs, who once said "the only way to do great work is to love what you do," ended his life with an expression that perfectly captured his visionary spirit. His legacy extends beyond products; it includes the example of facing death with wonder and grace. The story of his last words, simple yet profound, continues to inspire people to cherish the present and embrace the unknown.
Source: MSN News