Apple's co-founder and visionary, Steve Jobs, has passed away aged 56 after losing a fierce battle against pancreatic cancer.
The news of his death was announced in a brief statement by Apple, the company he co-founded with his school friend Stephen Wozniak in 1976.
We are deeply saddened to announce that Steve Jobs passed away today, Steve's brilliance, passion and energy were the source of countless innovations that enrich and improve all of our lives. The world is immeasurably better because of Steve, the statement said.
Jobs has battled cancer since 2004 and underwent a liver transplant in 2009, which is when he announced he had health problems and needed to take a short leave of absence. Despite his battle, Jobs continued to be the face of the company, until six weeks ago when he passed on his title as CEO to Tim Cook.
I have always said that if there ever came a day when I could no longer meet my duties and expectations as Apple's C.E.O., I would be the first to let you know, Mr. Jobs said in a letter released by the company. Unfortunately, that day has come.
Jobs, who left with a net worth of $8.3 billion has an entire personal computer industry that has shaped the face of digital technology throughout the years. Not only did he mastermind the Mac computer for easier computer use, with it he left behind the iPod, iPad and iPhone that have become features of peoples daily lives.
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Apple Inc co-founder and former CEO Steve Jobs picture is featured on the front page of the Apple website after his passing in this screen grab October 5, 2011. Jobs, counted among the greatest American CEOs of his generation, died on October 5, 2011 at the age of 56, after a years-long and highly public battle with cancer and other health issues. ReutersApple Computer Corp. on September 16 named Steven Jobs as Interim chief executive officer two months after Gil Amelio resigned from the position. Jobs is shown at a press conference at the first international NEXTWORLD Expo in San Francisco January 22, 1992ReutersApple CEO Steve Jobs holds up the new iPod Nano after introducing it at an event in San Francisco, California in this September 7, 2005 file photo. Apple Inc co-founder and former CEO Steve Jobs, counted among the greatest American CEOs of his generation, died on October 5, 2011 at the age of 56, after a years-long and highly public battle with cancer and other health issues.ReutersApple Inc. CEO Steve Jobs is shown in his last public appearance June 7, 2011 as he makes a presentation to the Cupertino City Council regarding plans for Apple's new headquarters in this frame grab from video. Apple Inc co-founder and former CEO Jobs, counted among the greatest American CEOs of his generation, died on October 5, 2011 at the age of 56, after a years-long and highly public battle with cancer and other health issues. REUTERS/Courtesy Cupertino City Council/Handout (UNITED STATES ReutersApple Inc CEO Steve Jobs speaks in London during the launch of the European iTunes online music store in this June 15, 2004 file photo. Jobs, counted among the greatest American CEOs of his generation, died on October 5, 2011 at the age of 56, after a years-long and highly public battle with cancer and other health issues. ReutersApple Computer Chief Executive Steve Jobs poses with the company's new iBook portable computer at the MacWorld computer trade show in New York in this July 21, 1999 file photo. Jobs, counted among the greatest American CEOs of his generation, died on October 5, 2011 at the age of 56, after a years-long and highly public battle with cancer and other health issues. ReutersApple Inc CEO Steve Jobs introduces new models of the company's iMac computer during his keynote address at the the Macworld Conference and Exposition in New York in this July 19, 2000 file photo. Jobs, counted among the greatest American CEOs of his generation, died on October 5, 2011 at the age of 56, after a years-long and highly public battle with cancer and other health issues.ReutersAlso known for his out-of-the box thinking at all times. He will be remembered for his words including these: "Being the richest man in the cemetery doesn't matter to me ... Going to bed at night saying we've done something wonderful... that's what matters to me." ReutersApple Chief Executive Steve Jobs introduces new iPod Nanos to the crowd at the Yerba Buena Center of the Arts theater in San Francisco, California, in this September 12, 2006 file photo. Apple Inc co-founder and former CEO Jobs, counted among the greatest American CEOs of his generation, died on October 5, 2011 at the age of 56, after a years-long and highly public battle with cancer and other health issues. Reuters
