Apple CEO Tim Cook finally told the world that he is gay. And proud of it.

Apple's top executive broke the years of silence and in an essay published in Businessweek, Cook told the world, "I'm proud to be gay, and I consider being gay among the greatest gifts God has given me."

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While the people at Apple know about his sexual orientation, outsiders were in limbo about his sexuality.

Cook, a very private man, has never before made any public remarks about the issue.

"While I have never denied my sexuality, I haven't publicly acknowledged it either, until now," Cook wrote.

Cook succeeded as Apple's big boss after Steve Jobs death in 2011. That puts him at the spotlight of scrutiny, which often hounds big companies.

Cook's decision to come out was influenced by his willingness help others, particularly those in the LGBT group to be accepted and enjoy equality that the third sex has been otherwise deprived of.

"I don't consider myself an activist, but I realize how much I've benefited from the sacrifice of others," Cook wrote.

"So if hearing that the CEO of Apple is gay can help someone struggling to come to terms with who he or she is, or bring comfort to anyone who feels alone, or inspire people to insist on their equality, then it's worth the trade-off with my own privacy."

Cook's decision to come out has earned him huge support.

"Proud to work for you and be your friend," Philip Schiller, Apple's chief of global marketing, posted on Twitter.

Meanwhile, Human Rights Campaign, a group campaigning for gay rights, hailed Cook's action as a "courageous" one.

Cook believes that his action is another step closer towards ensuring gender equality. The CEO vowed to continue his support for human rights and equality.

"We pave the sunlit path toward justice together, brick by brick. This is my brick," he wrote. 

TagsTim Cook, Tim Cook gay