Steve Jobs returned to Apple through the acquisition of his failed NeXT firm, orchestrated by CEO Gil Amelio. Despite Jobs initially joining as just an advisor, his business savvy and popularity with staff positioned him perfectly for a takeover. Amelio's decision to buy NeXT would ultimately cost him his job, while setting the stage for Jobs' return to power after more than a decade away.

Facing near bankruptcy, Jobs quickly took action upon his return. He secured a $150 million investment from Microsoft and developed Office for Mac, ending costly litigation between the companies. The deal helped stabilize Apple financially, though the optics were poor when Bill Gates appeared via video at Macworld, dominating the stage with an image of Windows superiority over the struggling Apple.

While Jobs claimed he didn't lobby to become CEO, he orchestrated Amelio's ousting and assumed interim leadership. He immediately cut projects like the Newton and laid off 3,000 employees in an effort to save the company. By 2000, Jobs formally became CEO, having already transformed Apple's trajectory from bankruptcy to renewed innovation through decisive, if controversial, leadership.