Apple Inc confirms death of founder Steve Jobs

Oct 5, 2011, 23:46 GMT

San Francisco - Steve Jobs, iconic co-founder of leading US computer company Apple Inc, died aged 56 on Wednesday, the company said.

After suffering from cancer for several years, he stepped down on August 24 as chief executive, while remaining chairman of the board until his passing.

'Steve's brilliance, passion and energy were the source of countless innovations that enrich and improve all of our lives,' Apple's board said in a statement. 'The world is immeasurably better because of Steve.'

'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.'

Tim Cook, who took over from Jobs as chief executive, said that the tech visionary died early Wednesday.

'Apple has lost a visionary and creative genius, and the world has lost an amazing human being,' he said in an email to Apple employees.

Calling Jobs an 'inspiring mentor,' he said that Jobs 'leaves behind a company that only he could have built, and his spirit will forever be the foundation of Apple.'

Cook said that Apple was planning 'a celebration of Steve's extraordinary life' but gave no details about funeral arrangements.

Tributes to Jobs poured in from his rivals and fans alike.

Google's Larry Page called him a 'great man with incredible achievements and amazing brilliance,' while Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg called him a 'mentor and a friend.'

'The world rarely sees someone who has had the profound impact Steve has had, the effects of which will be felt for many generations to come,' said Microsoft's Bill Gates, perhaps his greatest rival throughout his storied tech career.

'For those of us lucky enough to get to work with him, it's been an insanely great honor. I will miss Steve immensely.'