Steve Jobs, the visionary behind Cupertino-based Apple Inc., has died.
Apple released a statement late Wednesday lauding the achievements of the executive who brought the company from relative obscurity to a cultural phenomenon and powerhouse on Wall Street.
“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,” Apple said. “His greatest love was for his wife, Laurene, and his family. Our hearts go out to them and to all who were touched by his extraordinary gifts.”
Jobs, who was fighting pancreatic cancer, resigned as chief executive at Apple in late August, passing the reins to Tim Cook. Jobs announced his diagnosis in 2004 and received a liver transplant in 2009.
In a letter to Apple employees and its board of directors, Jobs said at the time he could no longer meet “duties and expectations as Apple’s CEO” and hoped to remain chairman, a director and in some other role with the company.
“I believe Apple’s brightest and most innovative days are ahead of it,” he said. “I have made some of the best friends of my life at Apple, and I thank you all for the many years of being able to work alongside you.”
Jobs was 56.
