Steve Jobs, the visionary co-founder of Apple Inc., was known for his relentless pursuit of innovation and excellence. However, beyond the sleek devices and transformative technologies, there was a personal history that shaped Jobs’ understanding of the world, particularly his connection to Armenia through his adoptive family.
Born to Joanne Schieble and Abdulfattah Jandali, Jobs was adopted shortly after birth by Paul and Clara Jobs. Clara, born Clara Hagopian, was of Armenian descent, her parents being immigrants from Armenia. This lineage connected Jobs to a history marked by resilience and tragedy, particularly the Armenian Genocide of 1915, during which an estimated 1.5 million Armenians were systematically exterminated by the Ottoman Empire.
Jobs’ awareness of his Armenian heritage was not just a footnote in his biography; it was a part of his identity that he acknowledged and respected. His adoptive grandmother, Victoria Artinian, was born in Smyrna in the 1890s, a time of significant upheaval for Armenians in the Ottoman Empire. This connection to the Armenian community and its history of suffering underpinned Jobs’ sensitivity to the injustices faced by Armenians.
In 2007, during a visit to Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, Jobs’ deep-seated feelings about the Armenian Genocide surfaced. Confronted with the historical conversion of the Hagia Sophia from a Christian cathedral to a mosque, Jobs reportedly questioned his guide, Asil Tuncer, about the fate of the Christians and the genocide of Armenians. The incident is said to have affected Jobs profoundly, leading him to cut his visit short and depart from Istanbul.
While this episode is a small part of Jobs’ life story, it underscores the complexity of his character and the diverse influences that shaped him. Jobs’ Armenian heritage and his recognition of the genocide speak to a broader understanding of the world, one that encompasses empathy and a quest for justice.
As we remember Steve Jobs for the technological legacy he left behind, it’s also important to acknowledge the personal history that contributed to the man he became. His Armenian roots provided him with a perspective that went beyond business and technology, touching on deeper human experiences of loss, survival, and the enduring spirit of a people.
In honoring Jobs’ memory, we not only celebrate his contributions to the tech industry but also recognize the rich tapestry of his heritage that informed his worldview and, in turn, the ethos of the company he built. Steve Jobs’ story is a testament to the fact that our past, no matter how distant, continues to shape our present and the legacy we leave for future generations.
Learn more
Historian and human rights activist Arif Yunusov lives in exile in the Netherlands. In an…
When people talk about the antiquity of Armenia, they often begin with a grand formula…
Analysis. Information current as of 13 November 2026. On 7 November, Germany's DW published a…
The story of one of Yerevan's oldest burial grounds, erased in the 1930s Show Image…
How the cuneiform archives of the Hittite capital came to record a powerful mountain kingdom…
Excavations on the northwestern edge of the Armenian capital have uncovered an open-air Upper Paleolithic…
View Comments
Contact Page Marketing
Our Methodology:
Selection: We locate websites and companies that align with your target market.
Message Sending: We dispatch meticulously written messages through the contact forms on these sites.
Message Optimization: We fine-tune the messages to comply with best practices and improve the likelihood of a reply.
Results: You receive regular reports on the messages sent and any responses received.
Benefits:
Direct Targeting: Engage directly with prospective customers in your target market.
Convenient: You don't have to worry about searching for contact information or writing messages.
Budget-Friendly: An economical approach to extending your reach without significant marketing expenses.
Reasons to Select Us:
We are skilled in developing and overseeing efficient contact marketing strategies. Our team ensures that each message is tailored to meet your specific needs. We believe in a personal approach and strive to help you achieve your business goals.
Don't hesitate to get in touch with us on Telegram t.me/Contactwebsitemarketing
Or if you don't feel comfortable with clicking links in emails,
you can also look me up on Telegram @Contactwebsitemarketing
We wish you a very nice day!
Greetings
Team Contact Website Marketing.