OpenAI's No. 2 executive steps down over health issues

https://www.axios.com/2026/04/03/openai-fidji-simo-medical-leave-reshuffle" target="_blank">Fidji Simo is stepping down after taking medical leave because of a worsening chronic illness.

The big picture: Simo's departure removes one of https://www.axios.com/technology/automation-and-ai" target="_blank">OpenAI's highest-profile executives.

Driving the news: Simo said Thursday she is stepping down as OpenAI's head of product and business after a "severe exacerbation" of Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), a chronic condition she was diagnosed with in 2019.

• She went on medical leave in April, and OpenAI President Greg Brockman assumed responsibility for product during her absence.
• Simo will remain at OpenAI as a part-time advisor.
• The Wall Street Journal first https://www.wsj.com/tech/openai-top-executive-fidji-simo-to-step-down-c3daca47" target="_blank">reported the news.

What they're saying: "I am only making this decision now because I failed to make it many times before," Simo wrote on https://x.com/fidjissimo/status/2075353170927304861" target="_blank">X, adding that she's seeing the opportunity for AI applications in health now more than ever.

• CEO Sam Altman posted on X saying that he is "really sad about this and very grateful...we all wish her the best for a speedy recovery. this sucks."

Catch up quick: Simo joined OpenAI in 2025 after leading Instacart through its IPO and previously spent more than a decade at Meta.

• CEO Sam Altman hired her to scale OpenAI's applications business as the company expanded beyond frontier AI models into consumer and enterprise products.