12 Facts You Never Knew About Apple CEO

Tim Cook is one of Silicon Valley's most guarded figures. But a person doesn't remain a mystery for very long after taking the helm of one of the most closely watched companies in the world.

Just last week Cook made news by announcing he's "proud to be gay." His rise to prominence has garnered the attention of tech's most prominent journalists, including Fortune's Adam Lashinsky, who published "Inside Apple" in 2012.

Using Lashinsky's journal as a guide, Business Insider has compiled 12 facts you never knew about the Apple boss: