Why Steve Jobs Lived in an Empty House for Years

Steve Jobs, the co-founder of Apple, was renowned for his obsession with simplicity and aesthetics. One paradoxical aspect of his life was that for years he lived in a 1,600 sq. meter mansion in Woodside, California, almost devoid of furniture.

According to his biographer, Walter Isaacson, Jobs found it difficult to make decisions about furniture, as it had to be "perfect." If he couldn't find something that met his strict criteria, he preferred to have nothing at all. His house contained a mattress on the floor, some cushions, a table for designing, a Tiffany lamp, and a Maxfield Parrish painting.

Former Apple CEO John Sculley recalls that Jobs's house had only a picture of Einstein, a Tiffany lamp, a chair, and a bed.

This choice echoed Jobs's love for Zen Buddhism and minimalism, as well as his belief that "simplicity is the ultimate form of sophistication." He believed that adding things does not necessarily improve a situation and preferred to focus on what mattered most.

Despite his eccentricity, Jobs's obsession with simplicity led to the creation of innovative products that changed the world.