Representatives from Apple Inc. have just confirmed that Steve Jobs, the co-founder of Apple, has died at age 56.
Steve Jobs “died peacefully today surrounded by his family…We know many of you will mourn with us, and we ask that you respect our privacy during our time of grief,” Jobs’ family said in a statement released today.
During his career, Jobs paved the groundwork for the modern high-tech industry and created innovative and wildly successful products like the iPod, iPad, and iPhone.
Jobs suffered from a number of serious health problems over the past few years. The entrepeneur announced that he had a rare form of pancreatic cancer in 2004 and a tumor was successfully removed from his pancreas later that year. In 2009, Jobs took a nearly six month leave of absence and receieved liver transplant. Soon after, Jobs stepped down from his position as chief executive without explanation.
Jobs is survived by his wife, Laurene, and four children.
“Steve’s brilliance, passion and energy were the source of countless innovations that enrich and improve all of our lives,” Apple said in a statement. “The world is immeasurably better because of Steve.”