OpenAI’s no. 2 exec, Fidji Simo, steps down for health reasons

July 10, 2026 - 20:31

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) - Fidji Simo, the number 2 executive at OpenAI, has stepped away from her full-time role at the company for health reasons. Simo shared the news in a post Thursday on X, explaining that she needs to prioritize her well-being after a period of intense work.

Simo joined OpenAI in 2022 as the company's chief operating officer, overseeing business operations and global expansion. She was widely seen as the right hand to CEO Sam Altman, handling the day-to-day management of the fast-growing artificial intelligence firm. Before OpenAI, she spent years at Meta, where she led the development of the Facebook app and its video platform.

In her post, Simo did not specify the exact nature of her health condition but said she plans to take time to recover and focus on her family. She will remain on the board of directors at OpenAI, continuing to advise on strategy from a less demanding role. The company has not yet named a replacement for her operational duties.

Her departure marks a significant shift in OpenAI's leadership, especially as the company faces increasing competition and regulatory scrutiny. Simo's exit comes at a time when several other top executives have also left or taken on new roles, raising questions about stability at the organization. For now, Altman is expected to absorb some of her responsibilities while the search for a new COO begins.