Apple co-founder and former CEO Steve Jobs dead

6 Oct 2011

Apple's home page pays tribute to Steve Jobs

BREAKING NEWS – Steve Jobs, the co-founder and former CEO of consumer electronics giant Apple, died yesterday. He was 56.

Jobs had been dealing with health issues the past few years. He had surgery for pancreatic cancer in August 2004, and had a liver transplant in April 2009. In January of this year, he announced he would be taking an indeterminate leave of absence from Apple. In late August, he resigned from the CEO role.

CEO Tim Cook shared the news of Jobs’ death with staff in a statement:

“I have some very sad news to share with all of you. Steve passed away earlier today,” Cook said.

“Apple has lost a visionary and creative genius, and the world has lost an amazing human being. 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.

“We are planning a celebration of Steve’s extraordinary life for Apple employees that will take place soon. If you would like to share your thoughts, memories and condolences in the interim, you can simply email rememberingsteve@apple.com.

“No words can adequately express our sadness at Steve’s death or our gratitude for the opportunity to work with him. We will honor his memory by dedicating ourselves to continuing the work he loved so much.”

Jobs was surrounded by his wife, Laurene, and immediate family when he died in Palo Alto, California, Apple said late on Wednesday. Other details were not immediately available.

Tina Costanza was a journalist and sub-editor at Silicon Republic

editorial@siliconrepublic.com