Steve Jobs Dies 'Peacefully,' Says Family, One Day After iPhone 4S Release

Steve Jobs, the visionary behind Apple's iPhone and a host of other iDevices died peacefully on Wednesday surrounded by his family, a release from his family stated.

In his public life, Steve was known as a visionary; in his private life, he cherished his family, the statement noted. We are thankful to the many people who have shared their wishes and prayers during the last year of Steve's illness; a website will be provided for those who wish to offer tributes and memories.

Jobs died one day after Apple released the iPhone 4S at a Let's Talk iPhone event in Cupertino, Calif. on Oct. 4. he was 56.

We are grateful for the support and kindness of those who share our feelings for Steve, the family stated. We know many of you will mourn with us, and we ask that you respect our privacy during our time of grief.

Neither Jobs' family nor Apple has revealed where Jobs died. they neither released the cause of his death. Jobs has been fighting pancreatic cancer for years and had a liver transplant.

Apple's website has since dedicate the homepage to Jobs. On it there is a full -page photo of the CEO with the text Steve Jobs 1955-2011.

One click on the image reveals additional information that reads: Apple has lost a visionary and creative genius, and the world has lost an amazing human being, Apple's Web site said. Those of us who have been fortunate enough to know and work with Steve have lost a dear friend and an inspiring mentor. Steve leaves behind a company that only he could have built, and his spirit will forever be the foundation of Apple.

Jobs co-founded Apple Computer in 1976.

His childhood friend Steve Wozniak told ABC News after Jobs' death that, I'm shocked and disturbed.