TL;DR
IBM announced the death of Lou Gerstner, who led the company from 1993 to 2002 and is credited with refocusing the business on customers and integrated solutions. Chairman and CEO Arvind Krishna relayed the news to employees and outlined Gerstner’s role in reshaping IBM’s strategy and culture.
What happened
On Dec. 28, 2025, IBM Chair and CEO Arvind Krishna emailed employees to report that Lou Gerstner, who served as IBM’s chairman and chief executive from 1993 to 2002, died the day before. Krishna’s message portrayed Gerstner as the leader who arrived when IBM’s prospects were uncertain and redirected the company away from inward-facing processes toward customer-focused outcomes. The note recalled an early moment in Gerstner’s tenure when he cut off a long internal presentation and urged simpler, more direct discussion — a symbol of his push for clearer priorities and attention to clients. Krishna described Gerstner’s pivotal choice to keep IBM intact rather than split it into separate businesses, arguing clients preferred integrated offerings. The email also highlighted Gerstner’s emphasis on changing corporate culture, his continued counsel to later CEOs, his earlier career at McKinsey, American Express and RJR Nabisco, post-IBM roles including chairing The Carlyle Group, philanthropic work, his Dartmouth and Harvard degrees, and that he was preceded in death by his son Louis Gerstner III. IBM said a celebration of his life will be held in the new year and provided a press contact for inquiries.
Why it matters
- Gerstner’s leadership is credited with shifting IBM from inward focus to customer-centered strategy, a turning point in the company’s modern history.
- His decision to keep IBM unified shaped the firm’s trajectory toward integrated enterprise solutions rather than fragmented business units.
- The cultural changes he pushed—more direct meetings, fact-based decisions and emphasis on client value—are presented as enduring elements of IBM’s operating approach.
- His ongoing engagement with later leaders meant his influence extended beyond his formal tenure, affecting IBM strategy and governance over time.
Key facts
- Announcement date: IBM internal email from Chair and CEO Arvind Krishna dated Dec. 28, 2025.
- Gerstner served as IBM’s Chairman and CEO from 1993 to 2002.
- The email said Gerstner passed away the day before the announcement.
- Krishna credited Gerstner with keeping IBM together rather than splitting it into separate businesses.
- Gerstner emphasized customer outcomes, simpler meetings and fact-based decisions during his tenure.
- Before IBM, Gerstner was among the youngest partners at McKinsey & Company and later served as president of American Express and CEO of RJR Nabisco.
- After IBM he chaired The Carlyle Group and engaged in philanthropy focused on education and biomedical research.
- Gerstner studied at Dartmouth (undergraduate) and earned an MBA from Harvard.
- He was preceded in death by his son, Louis Gerstner III.
- IBM said it will hold a celebration in the new year and listed IBM Press Room (ibmpress@us.ibm.com) as the media contact.
What to watch next
- The planned celebration in the new year to reflect on Gerstner’s legacy (confirmed in the source).
- Whether IBM or external groups will announce additional public memorials or commemorations (not confirmed in the source).
- Any future statements or remembrances from corporate leaders, former colleagues or institutions associated with Gerstner (not confirmed in the source).
Quick glossary
- Chief Executive Officer (CEO): The highest-ranking executive in an organization, responsible for overall management and strategic direction.
- Corporate culture: The shared values, behaviors and norms that shape how employees act and make decisions within an organization.
- Integrated solutions: Products or services designed to work together across different areas of a business to address customer needs holistically.
- Philanthropy: The act of donating money, time, or resources to promote the public good, often in areas like education, health, or research.
Reader FAQ
Who announced Lou Gerstner’s death?
IBM Chairman and CEO Arvind Krishna announced it in an internal email (Dec. 28, 2025).
When did Lou Gerstner lead IBM?
He served as IBM’s chairman and CEO from 1993 to 2002.
What caused his death?
not confirmed in the source
Will there be a public memorial?
IBM said it will hold a celebration in the new year; further public memorial plans are not confirmed in the source.
Remembering Lou Gerstner Dec 28, 2025 The following is the text of an email sent today to all IBM employees by Chairman and CEO Arvind Krishna: IBMers, I am saddened…
Sources
- Remembering Lou Gerstner
- Louis V. Gerstner Jr.
- Lou Gerstner | Biography, IBM, & Facts
- How Lou Gerstner Got IBM To Dance
Related posts
- Why I Quit LinkedIn: A Case for Deleting the Platform and Regaining Time
- Users report Google prioritizes local-language results over English searches
- A ‘Prime’ View of Hacker News: an archival math-themed index of early posts