Apple CEO Tim Cook says he is ‘proud to be gay’

New Delhi: Apple Inc Chief Executive Tim Cook publicly came out as gay in an opinion piece he wrote Thursday.

In an article published by Bloomberg Businessweek, Cook publicly confirmed that he is gay, making him the highest-profile chief executive to come out.

“So let me be clear: I`m proud to be gay, and I consider being gay among the greatest gifts God has given me,” Cook said in the article.

The CEO says he's been open with others about being gay, but felt compelled to publicly come out to help others.

Cook has never previously acknowledged his sexual orientation, although it was widely rumoured outside the company.